An invitational tournament in Korea Republic to prepare the Golden Eaglets for the U17 World Cup in Chile has been moved on account of an outbreak of the ‘MERS’ (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic, which has killed two in Korea thus far.
The tournament was to have started next week. Over 700 people have been isolated as health officials seek to contain the epidemic.
FIFA match agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport, said on Wednesday that organisers are pained but feel it is the correct decision in the circumstances, in order to protect the participating players and officials of all four countries – Korea Republic, Nigeria, USA and Brazil.
“It is an unfortunate situation for the Korean people and we feel their discomfort at this period. We hope that they will be able to solve the issue quickly,” said Jairo Pachon.
A new date will be chosen for the invitational tournament in the month of August 2015.