BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A soccer match between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week at Soldier Field, has been relocated to Florida amid the federal government’s anti-immigration activity in the city, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The friendly match was supposed to be played on Oct. 13 but will be moved to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the home stadium of Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi.
Chicago Park District spokesman Luca Serra confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the match won’t be played in Chicago.
“Yes, confirming that the Argentina against Puerto Rico match has been canceled in Chicago”, Serra said. “The promoter made the decision this morning due to low ticket sales.”
No official statement has been released by the promoter.
An Argentine Football Association executive earlier confirmed the move to the AP and said it was because of the situation in Chicago, where President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard to quell protests against his anti-immigration campaign. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the relocation had not been publicly announced.
More than 1,000 immigrants have been arrested in the last month in the Chicago area. The Trump administration vowed to deploy National Guard troops in its agenda to boost deportations.
“We are outraged and heartbroken by the news that the soccer match between Puerto Rico and Argentina, originally scheduled for Oct. 13 at Soldier Field in Chicago, has been moved to Fort Lauderdale,” Billy Ocasio, CEO of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, said in a statement.
“The Puerto Rican National Soccer Team was set to visit our Museum this Sunday to celebrate with Chicago’s Puerto Rican community before the game, a moment we have looked forward to for months. Now that visit, like the match itself, has been taken away from us.
“This decision is President Trump’s attempt to impose economic sanctions on the City of Chicago for being a Sanctuary City. Hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors to our city are now left scrambling to change flights and cancel hotel reservations. It doesn’t just hurt the teams or the fans; it robs Chicago of an opportunity to celebrate unity, culture, and pride.”
Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, will play Venezuela in another friendly match on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Messi was called up to play in both matches, which are part of Argentina’s preparations for next year’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.