Football
ESPN staff 8y

Argentina want CONMEBOL security guarantees for Venezuela trip

Argentina want security guarantees from CONMEBOL before traveling to Merida, Venezuela, on Sunday for their World Cup qualifying match, said Argentina national teams secretary Jorge Miadosqui.

Protesters filled dozens of city blocks on Thursday in what was dubbed the "taking of Caracas'' to pressure electoral authorities to allow a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro this year.

Venezuela lost 2-0 to Colombia on Thursday while Lionel Messi scored a goal to lead Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Uruguay.

Argentina are scheduled to fly to Venezuela on Sunday afternoon for the Tuesday match, but Miadosqui said the logistics are also very complicated.

"The Merida airport is closed to chartered flights, so we must fly into [El] Vigia. It is difficult to get there and we must then travel some 70 kilometers by bus," Miadosqui told Radio La Red.

"These types of problems can always be solved with conversation but with Venezuela we didn't have that chance and it makes everything more difficult," he said.

"The Venezuela government has done everything possible to set up the game in Merida. But CONMEBOL should decide whether, given the context of the social situation in that country, the game should be played.

"If we are given guarantees on all sides, then we will travel to Venezuela," he said. "If there are no guarantees, we won't go."

Argentina would face sanctions from both FIFA and CONMEBOL if they refused to play the match. 

Miadosqui said all the arrangements have been made but added that Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza also wanted guarantees that the logistics had been ironed out.

"Our biggest worry is the political situation," Miadosqui said. 

Argentina radio also reported that bus service has also been suspended between the two airports. 

Bauza said on Thursday that Barcelona star Lionel Messi is a doubt for the Venezuela match, but Miadosqui reiterated that the Catalan club had put no restrictions upon him. 

Messi, who was playing his first game since returning from his brief international retirement, scored the only goal of the win against Argentina in the 43rd minute.

However, the 29-year-old admitted that an existing groin injury was really bothering him and Bauza said he would be evaluated this weekend.

"Messi played a great game despite his pain," Bauza said. "He suffered a groin injury and those know how painful that can be. We have to wait to see if Messi can play against Venezuela."

Messi himself said he would consult with doctors.

"I don't know if I can be there. My groin hurts a lot," he told reporters. "It is messed up and it could get worse. I always want to play, but the truth is that the season is just starting and there are a lot of important matches ahead of us. I'll see what the doctor says and go by how I feel."

Following the victory over Uruguay, Argentina now sit at the top of the qualifying table with 14 points while Venezuela are last with one point.

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