A soccer match between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press on Wednesday.
The friendly match was supposed to be played on 13 October at Soldier Field in Chicago but will be moved to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the home stadium of Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi.
An Argentinian Football Association executive confirmed the move to the AP and said it was because of the situation in Chicago, where Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard to quell protests against the immigration crackdown.
More than 1,000 immigrants have been arrested since the crackdown started last month in the Chicago area. The Trump administration vowed to deploy National Guard troops in its agenda to boost deportations.
Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, 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 US, Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July.
