Italy push to suspend Confederations?

Worsening protests in Brazil reportedly have Italy and another unnamed nation considering requesting that the Confederations Cup is suspended.

Protesters have clashed with authorities in many cities across the South American country this past week, angered by the government’s funding to host this summer’s international tournament, next year’s World Cup and the Olympics in 2016.

Last night saw the riots’ first fatality, as demonstrations spread to more than 100 cities in the country and involved approximately one million people.

There was a heavy police presence at yesterday’s Group B games in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador but still there were reports of clashes at the latter venue, where Uruguay played Nigeria.

On from this, radio station CBN Rado and newspaper Estado de Sao Paulo are both running the line that Italy and another unnamed participating country at the Confederations Cup are considering requesting the tournament’s postponement on safety grounds.

It is alleged that Italy’s players have expressed concern on the matter, with regards to the safety of their families, and have asked the Italian Football Federation, FIGC, to consider the request.

The unnamed nation’s players are then seen as prepared to follow up on Italy’s initiative and similarly request the same to their football association.

So far during the tournament, the Spanish team have been the victim of a robbery at their hotel in Recife, whilst more recently in Fortaleza, Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar’s wife was robbed at gunpoint.

Tags Brazil Confederations Cup FIFA Italy Spain
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