Chile followed Colombia by turning down a proposal to host two Mexican clubs' Copa Libertadores matches, fearing the players might bring swine flu with them.
Following yesterday's decisions, South America's governing body of football CONMEBOL said it would put off any decision until after San Luis and Chivas Guadalajara play their away matches on Wednesday in the round of 16 of the Latin American club championship.
South American football officials do not want any of the matches in Mexico, where swine flu has been confirmed in the deaths of 15 people. They also fear the Mexican teams playing at neutral venues on the continent.
"During the upcoming week different possibilities will be looked at with the goal of a balanced decision that satisfies everyone," CONMEBOL said in a statement.
The problem is finding a country that will take the games.The Chile Football Federation said its government would not allow the Mexican clubs to play in Chile.
"This federation accepts and at the same time laments the decision because it does now allow us to show the solidarity spirit that the Chilean people have had in so many chapters of its history," the federation said in a statement.
Colombian football officials agreed on Thursday to host the Mexican clubs' home games in Bogota. But health officials rejected the proposal.
"We love football, but as a government we have made a very responsible decision to put the public health of the people of Bogota as the first consideration," said Hector Zambrano, Bogota health secretary.
San Luis is to face Nacional of Uruguay, and Chivas Guadalajara is up against Brazil club Sao Paulo.
Luis Bedoya, the head of the Colombian Football Federation, said the Mexican teams posed little risk, as they were composed of small delegations that include highly trained athletes in top condition.
"Opposed to this, for example, four flights arrive daily from Mexico carrying 700 people," Bedoya said.
The developments came as Chivas defender Hector Reynoso apologized for coughing and making other gestures in an opponent's face like he was trying to spread the swine flu.
The Mexican defender coughed several times in the face of Everton's Sebastian Penco during a 1-1 draw with the Chile club, allowing Chivas to reach the last 16 in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday. "I've cooled off now, but at the time I reacted and, perhaps, it wasn't an appropriate thing that I was doing," Reynoso said. "I offer my apology to the club and player. I belong to a club that has lots of history and rules, and I know I am going to be punished."
The effort to contain the swine flu in Mexico has wiped out most of the sports schedule in the country. All 176 professional football games this weekend will be played in stadiums shuttered to fans including nine first-division games.
Dozens of events in Mexico from auto racing to golf to baseball have been canceled or postponed. Even events set for next month or during the summer are under threat.
FIFA, the governing body of world football, says it is monitoring the flu outbreak to determine whether six World Cup qualifiers in the region in June should go ahead.
Mexico is to play at El Salvador on June 6, and then play in Mexico City on June 10 against Trinidad and Tobago.
Four other World Cup qualifiers are scheduled for June in the United States or Central America: June 3, Costa Rica vs US in San Jose, Costa Rica; June 6, Trinidad and Tobago vs Costa Rica in Bacolet, Trinidad; US vs Honduras in Chicago; June 10, Honduras vs El Salvador in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Top Section
Explore Business Standard