Palestine/Israeli update 6/05/2018..Naksa..'Keep mouth shut': US envoy to Israel slams journalists for criticizing IDF violence

Neither side has issued an official announcement yet, but Saturday’s scheduled game to take place in Jerusalem is largely expected to be cancelled

Argentina’s planned soccer exhibition against Israel’s national team slated for Saturday at Jerusalem’s Teddy Kollek Stadium is in danger of being canceled, Argentine media reported. Local reports claim Plaestinian pressure is the impetus for the game’s expected cancellation.

Neither side has issued an official announcement yet regarding theWorld Cup warm-up match that has attracted huge interest among Israeli fans, mainly because of Messi’s planned participation, but the game is largely expected to be canceled. Argentinian sports daily Ole said the match was cancelled following “threats and controversy.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Argentine President Mauricio Macri late Tuesday, at Culture Minister Miri Regev’s request, in an attempt to prevent the game’s cancellation. Macri informed Netanyahu in a follow-up conversation, however, that he is unable to influence the final decision, according to sources in the Prime Minister’s Bureau.

Star Argentine player Gonzalo Higuaín told ESPN that “they’ve finally done the right thing. The correct thing was to not go to Israel.” It should be noted that the Argentine national team did not want to play in Israel in the first place, but preferred to prepare in Barcelona for the World Cup, which will open in nine days in Russia. In recent days pressure has been exerted on Messi and the Argentine Football Association not to play in Jerusalem; this has included demonstrations in Buenos Aires and Barcelona in front of the national team’s training camp.