Published By: Ritayan Basu
Last Updated: November 23, 2023, 07:17 IST
World Cup qualifier: Venezuela and Peru (AP)
Venezuela accused the Peru authorities of ‘kidnapping’ its soccer staff, accusing them of refusing to permit the staff’s plane to refuel.
The authorities of Venezuela lambasted Peru on Wednesday following a controversial soccer match, at one level accusing Lima of kidnapping its nationwide staff by refusing to permit the plane bringing the gamers residence to refuel.
The diplomatic spat started following a 1-1 draw between the 2 international locations’ groups in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, after which Venezuelan gamers accused Peruvian police of beating them as they went to greet followers Tuesday night time.
Following a delay in the aircraft’s departure on Wednesday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil mentioned Peru had carried out “another arbitrary act against the Venezuelans by preventing the plane bringing the team back from refueling.”
“This is kidnapping as vengeance against our team which played an extraordinary match” in Lima, he added.
Almost 4 hours after the scheduled takeoff, nevertheless, the Rutaca airline aircraft lastly started its journey at 2:53 pm (1953 GMT).
The delay “occurred for purely administrative reasons related to fuel supply” the corporate that operates Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima mentioned.
Gil confirmed that the staff was “undertaking its return to Caracas safely” after the Peruvian authorities ordered gas provides.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro mentioned that the “xenophobia of that racist oligarchy of Peru has been unleashed against our noble team. Venezuela has raised its voice to protest against xenophobia, violence and aggression.”
Tuesday’s sport marked a tumultuous night time for the South American qualifiers, following a match between Brazil and Argentina in Rio de Janeiro which noticed ugly clashes between followers.
– ‘They hit me twice’ –
Venezuelan footballer Nahuel Ferraresi earlier confirmed bandages on his proper hand, saying Peruvian police “beat me.”
“These are things which should not happen. The match was over and we went to thank our Venezuelan supporters,” he mentioned.
Ferraresi mentioned one other participant had handed his jersey over to followers, and he was about to throw his to the group when the police blocked him.
“Then others got angry, I don’t know what happened, and (the police) took out their batons to hit us. They hit me twice… but it’s not a serious injury.”
Videos of the incident, which present Peruvian cops brandishing their batons in opposition to the gamers, have gone viral on social media.
Venezuela’s soccer federation condemned “acts of discrimination and xenophobia” in opposition to the staff and their followers.
After the draw, Peru is in final place in the qualifiers, whereas Venezuela — which has by no means certified for a World Cup — is in an unprecedented fourth place.
Before the match, Peruvian police carried out an uncommon identification verify amongst followers, and have been accused of focusing on Venezuelans.
This transfer comes every week after a controversial decree got here into power authorizing the federal government to expel foreigners.
Peru is residence to some 1.5 million Venezuelan immigrants, many of whom have fled a crippling financial disaster at residence.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
