Sources: Argentina friendly relocated to Fort Lauderdale amid Chicago unrest

A friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, amid the immigration crackdown in the city, sources told ESPN Argentina’s Diego Monroig.

The friendly match was supposed to be played on Oct. 13 at Soldier Field in Chicago but will be played at Chase Stadium on Oct. 14. ESPN confirmed earlier Wednesday that negotiations to host the game at the home of Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami side had been ongoing.

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Chicago Park District spokesman Luca Serra confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the match won’t be played in Chicago.

“Yes, confirming that the Argentina against Puerto Rico match has been canceled in Chicago”, Serra said. “The promoter made the decision this morning due to low ticket sales.”

No official statement has been released by the promoter.

An Argentine Football Association executive told AP the move was because of unrest in Chicago, where President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard to quell protests against the immigration crackdown.

That official spoke on condition of anonymity because the relocation had not been publicly announced.

More than 1,000 immigrants have been arrested since a 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 champion, will play Venezuela in another friendly match on Friday at Hard Rock Stadium in the Miami area. Inter Miami plays its penultimate game of the MLS regular season on Saturday at Chase Stadium against Atlanta.

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 U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

ESPN reporter Lizzy Becherano contributed to this story. Information from The Associated Press was also used.

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