Argentina calls off soccer friendly against Israel under pressure from campaigners
Tehran (KNA) - Under pressure from pro-Palestine campaigners, Argentina has canceled a controversial World Cup warm-up match against Israel in the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds amid an international outcry over the regime’s crimes against Palestinians.
A senior source at Argentina's Football Federation, who was speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the game had been called off.
In an interview with the ESPN sports channel, Argentinean striker Gonzalo Higuain confirmed the cancellation, saying, "They've finally done the right thing.
"Additionally, the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires said in a statement that it "regrets to communicate the suspension of the match" due to "threats and provocations" against Argentinean striker Lionel Messi.
The Palestinian Football Association (FA) had earlier called on Arab and Muslim sports fans to burn photos and T-shirts of Messi if he attended the friendly match.
Palestinian FA chairman Jibril Rajoub made the call after a protest outside the Argentinean representative's office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, saying, "Messi. Don't come. Don't whitewash the face of racism."
Source: PressTV