Colombian Federation Slams Government’s Anti-Mexico Decision

A day after the Colombian government denied an agreement to allow two Mexican clubs to play games in Bogota, the Colombian Football Federation criticizes the decision.

May 1, 2009 8:43:03 PM

More On :  Guadalajara, San Luis
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A day after the Colombian government denied two Mexican clubs access to their country, Colombian football officials criticized the decision.

Because of the swine flu outbreak, the Mexican Football Federation and CONMEBOL had arranged for Guadalajara and San Luis to play their home legs of upcoming Copa Libertadores series in Bogota. But claiming they were erring on the side of public safety, Colombian health officials nixed the plan.
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Colombian Football Federation officials said the numbers did not add up.

“We’re talking about delegations of no more than 30 people, of athletes in top physical condition, of healthy people,” federation president Luis Bedoya said. “On the other hand, the arrival of four daily flights from Mexico is allowed, flights which could bring in more than 700 people.”

The flu outbreak in Mexico has reportedly claimed more than 150 lives and affected more than 2,000 people in Mexico. The flu has since spread to more than 10 countries, according to the World Health Organization.

Because of the outbreak, South American clubs were reluctant to travel to Mexico – Argentina suspended all air travel to Mexico. The Colombian federation stepped up to try and help out their confederation but to no avail.

“The Colombian Football Federation has tried to assist CONMEBOL and in this case Mexican clubs,” Bedoya said.


Guadalajara are scheduled to play Sao Paulo and San Luis are slated to meet Uruguayan side Nacional in the knockout rounds of Copa Libertadores, games that are supposed to be played next week.

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