Peru blamed this Monday on rains and floods, caused by the “coastal El Niño” weather phenomenon in the north of the country, the problem of infrastructure works that led to FIFA’s decision to withdraw the organization from the Under-17 World Cup this year.
“The only inconvenience that we point out (to Fifa), and which is known worldwide, is that due to natural disasters it would be impossible to intervene in the Elías Aguirre and Miguel Grau stadiums, in the north of the country”, replied Education Minister Óscar Becerra, whose portfolio is responsible for Peruvian sport.
According to the Peruvian official, the government proposed that the tournament be played in Lima and Callao, a neighboring port, but its offer was rejected.
“I understand that FIFA has decided to prioritize the issue of going to provincial cities and we have priorities. And the priority at this moment is to serve the north of the country” affected by the rains and floods, added the person in charge of Education.
The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) indicated in a statement that “the decision is based on the delays in the start of the execution of sports infrastructure works”, in the context of the climate phenomenon.
FIFA announced on Monday that it is withdrawing the organization of the Under-17 World Cup from Peru “due to the country’s inability to fulfill its commitments and complete the necessary infrastructure to compete in the tournament”.
Football’s governing body said it would keep the dates from 10 November to 2 December and a new host would be appointed “at a later date”.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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