Japan Pull Out Of Copa America Again

 

Japan will not be playing in this July's Copa America after all.

The Samurai Blue initially pulled out of the competition after an eartquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster devastated large swathes of their country earlier this year.

Spain were on the verge of replacing them as guests, but Japan then agreed to participate.

However, the Samurai Blue have been unable to secure the release of their Europe-based players for the competition, and so have declined to play after all.

"I regret very much to communicate to you that the Japanese national team cannot take part in the Copa America," JFA president Junji Ogura told tournament organising committee chief Jose Luis Meiszner in a letter to the Argentine Football Association.

"Although the European clubs understand our situation, unfortunately most of them have told us they cannot release their players," Ogura told the AFA's website.

Central American country Costa Rica will now be approached by the AFA to see if they will consider playing in the Copa America at short notice.

If Costa Rica accept the invitation they will take Japan's place in Group A at the competition, and will play Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia.


source soccer laduma