FIFA World Youth Championships off

ZURICH: FIFA has postponed the World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates because of safety fears triggered by the threat of war against Iraq, world soccer’s governing body said yesterday.

The 24-team tournament for players under 20 years old was due to start on March 25 and end on April 16. But it will now take place at an unspecified later date after FIFA’s executive committee decided the political climate in the Middle East posed a threat to the safety of the players.  “FIFA regrets having to make this decision but must take into account its responsibilities towards the players, officials and other parties as well as towards the media and spectators,” said FIFA president Sepp Blatter.  Teams due to take part in the tournament in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah included the United States, England, Australia and Spain. Any war against Iraq is expected to start in the next few weeks. United States and Canada soccer officials backed FIFA’s decision.  “We have been monitoring this situation very closely since we qualified in November, and fully support the FIFA decision to postpone the tournament,” said US Soccer President Robert Contiguglia. Grouped with Paraguay, South Korea and Germany, the US were scheduled to depart for Abu Dhabi on March 19. Canadian officials said they were disappointed about the postponement but understood and supported the move. “Obviously we are disappointed because we have been preparing for the tournament for some time,” said Canadian coach Dale Mitchell.