Chile canceled two World Cup warmup matches this week because of
the earthquake that killed at least 700 people.
The South Americans were scheduled to play an unusual
doubleheader on Wednesday in Santiago, facing North Korea and Costa
Rica. Chile will be playing in its first World Cup since 1998.
North Korea has also advanced to the tournament, which starts June
11 in South Africa.
Harold Mayne-Nicholls, president of the Chile federation,
said soccer was a low priority in the face of the death and
destruction.
"Football cannot remain apart from the catastrophe,"
Mayne-Nicholls said on the federation's Web site. "Nor can we be
indifferent in the face of the pain and tragedy for thousands of
Chileans.
"The prevailing interest now is to meet the urgent needs of
our country," he added. "There will be time for football."
