The World Cup qualifying tournament in Chile must be played in the Caribbean country at the end of January, but the minister requested a change of location. The governing entity is studying taking it to another place.
Conmebol is monitoring the situation in Venezuela and would be thinking about changing the venue of the next tournament South American Sub 20 which was stipulated to take place between January 23 and February 16.
“Everything is being monitored”a Conmebol source confirmed to Agencia Noticias Argentinas regarding the possible change of venue due to the political and social crisis in Venezuela, which would prevent the normal holding of the youth tournament that will grant four places to the Under 20 World Cup that will take place. carried out in Chile between September 27 and October 19, 2025.
Security Minister Patricia Bullrich requested that the headquarters be changed
Less than two weeks before the start of the South American Sub 20 in Venezuela, the Minister of National Security, Patricia Bullrichexpressed his concern about the participation of the Argentine National Team in the tournament.
The official from Javier Milei’s government warned that the players could be at risk of being kidnapped, in a context of diplomatic tension with the government of Nicolás Maduro after the imprisonment of gendarme Nahuel Gallo in Caracas.
“Argentina is not going to send guys who can kidnap us. Conmebol will have to think about it or they will have to change headquarters”Bullrich stated in statements to Venezuelan media.
Bullrich emphasized his concern by making a comparison between the case of the detained gendarme and an eventual risk for the players: “What difference is there between a gendarme and a soccer player? They can accuse him of anything, as if we had sent a police officer disguised as a soccer player. It is an unacceptable risk”.
On the other hand, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has not yet issued official statements, although the coaching staff led by Diego Placente continues with the preparations for the contest.
Source: Ambito
