NEW YORK: In the face of worldwide outcry over violence against innocentPalestinians in Gaza, Argentina has decided to pull out of soccer matchagainst Israel, days before Lionel Messi and other players were scheduledto land in Jerusalem, media reports said Tuesday.
The match, South Americans’ final warm up game before the World Cup inRussia next week, was scheduled to be played in Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadiumon June 9, was highly anticipated in Israel with tickets selling out in 20minutes.
According to reports, the Argentina’s football association made thedecision to withdraw from the Saturday friendly amid an “escalation ofviolence and criticism.
They have informed the Israeli organizers, but have not yet made anofficial announcement, according to widespread reports in Argentinean media.
Argentina, a two-time world champion and one of the favorites of theupcoming World Cup this summer, has made four previous pre-World Cup visitsto Israel since 1986.
While Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calledhis Argentinian counterpart Mauricio Macri in light of this latestdevelopment.
The ambassador of Palestine in Argentina, Husni Abdel Wahed, had expressedhis opposition to the friendly match, saying the match would be similar tothem celebrating … the occupation.”
On Sunday, Rajoub urged Messi not to play in the match.