Cruzeiro concerned about flu in Argentina
Reuters - Monday 06 July 2009, 15:02
RIO DE JANEIRO - Cruzeiro are demanding a
ruling on the viability of playing a Libertadores Cup match at
Estudiantes on Wednesday amid an outbreak of the H1N1 flu strain
in Argentina that has claimed 60 lives.
Cruzeiro, due to play the first leg of the final in La
Plata, have asked the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to
raise the issue with South American body CSF, the club said on
their website.
"We want an evaluation to be made with the competent
organisations in Argentina... We need them to assume
responsibility, (and say) whether or not conditions are right to
play the match," Cruzeiro's director of football Eduardo Maluf
was quoted as saying.
"Cities in Buenos Aires province are in a state of health
emergency. There are no more sporting events, all have been
cancelled. (Authorities) are taking decisions that leave us all
very worried," he said.
"It's not enough for the vice-president of Estudiantes to
give guarantees."
The Argentine club have said they can guarantee the safety
of the Brazilian team and staff from contagion of the flu strain
during their time in La Plata, capital of Buenos Aires province.
Maluf said Cruzeiro had already delayed their departure for
La Plata until Tuesday and travelling on the day of the match
was also under consideration by the club.
The CSF gave South American teams the choice as to whether
they should travel to Mexico for Libertadores Cup matches
earlier this year during the H1N1 outbreak there.
Uruguayan and Brazilian players refused to go and the
Mexican clubs withdrew from the competition.