THE SIDELINES : Can’t Host Soccer Game, Chile Told
From Times wire services
ZURICH, Switzerland —
FIFA, world soccer’s ruling body, rejected an appeal today by Chile to let it host a crucial World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela and ruled the match should be played in Argentina. A FIFA communique said the match on Sunday will take place in Mendoza.
Chile’s soccer association appealed to FIFA on Tuesday to overturn its ban on the country hosting the Venezuela match.
FIFA imposed the suspension last Friday as one of a number of sanctions following disturbances at the Aug. 13 match between Chile and Brazil at the capital’s stadium. The FIFA communique said charges against the Chilean association included poor organization of the game, during which home fans threw objects at the visiting team, the referee and linesmen.
