ARGENTINA’S AMBASSADOR TO Russia has faith the host nation will “fully guarantee the safety of the World Cup” in the wake of a threatening poster issued by a pro-ISIS group.
The propaganda unit issued a threat on the World Cup this past weekend, accompanied by a poster of Argentina star Lionel Messi crying tears of blood.
Speaking to TyC Sports, Ricardo Lagorio expressed sympathy for Messi and optimism that Russia will ensure the tournament’s safety next summer.
“The image is very strong,” Lagoria said, as translated by ESPNFC. “The first thing I want to send is my support to Messi and his family because it’s very unpleasant. He’s the main person affected from this brutal and painful image.
I have no doubt that the Russian government and the Russian federation will fully guarantee the safety of the World Cup, of the fans and of the tourists. I would like to call for calm and to ask people that will come from all over the world to do so without concerns.”
Argentina, who qualified for the World Cup thanks to a Messi-inspired 3-1 win over Ecuador earlier this month, are set to travel to Russia for a pair of friendlies during the next international break: 11 November against Russia in Moscow and 14 November versus Nigeria in Krasnodar.
“For us, the World Cup begins on 11 November and it will start in peace,” Lagorio said. “We have to call for calmness. The aim (of the threat) is to frighten people, but all the Argentinians that intend to come should come to the World Cup and do so without fear.
“I reiterate that the Russian government will guarantee the safest possible World Cup, where people can come without worrying about safety.”
Lagorio pointed to this past summer’s Confederations Cup, won by Germany in Russia, as evidence that the nation is capable of hosting such an event without safety concerns.
“We had the Confederations Cup take place and it was safe and everything went well,” Lagorio said. “I’m very optimistic that the government will take the necessary measures so that everything runs smoothly.”
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It’s a sad world
Obviously on the Ronaldo side of the argument.
@Mick Power: or targetting the king
FIFA is a money making racket, putting players and supporters in danger.
@Ivan Truckrcar: fair enough Ivan, cancel the world cup
@Ivan Truckrcar: It’s a competition enjoyed the world over. Why call it a money racket. How are players and supporters put in danger. No way should anybody let shallow threats spoil their enjoyment of a tournment enjoyed the world over.
@Salvatore Mazzani: You are blessed your Mom chose tennis so.
@Salvatore Mazzani: Did you call and thank your mom for not letting you partake in this sport, too??
@The Viking: I said FIFA was a racket not the world cup. Why have it in Russia or Qatar there are so many more suitable places they could hold it.
@the druid: haha guilty!
Honestly it’s probably in the safest place you could want it. Russia’s xenophobia and questionable human rights record should actually work in their favour…
@Ewan Euphrenza: also, if Isis attacked in Russia, I don’t think Putin would wait around for international approval before retaliating. He could wipe them out in less than a wee
@Robc: *week*
@Ewan Euphrenza: 15% of the Russian population is Muslim
@Robc: wee is better
On this occasion the WC is being held in a safe place
With this kind of stuff the WC is being held in a safe place
There’s no way Putin will let anything happen that could make Russia look bad while this is on