Malaysia cancels Intercontinental Cup youth soccer tournament over swine flu threat

Malaysia cancels soccer tournament over swine flu

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian soccer officials have canceled next month’s Intercontinental Cup under-23 tournament due to the threat of the spread of swine flu, local media reported Tuesday.

The Football Association of Malaysia canceled the eight-team tournament after consulting with the nation’s Health Ministry, the New Straits Times reported.

Among the teams which had been expected to contest the June 1-14 tournament were Brazil, Mexico and South Korea, which have each confirmed cases of swine flu.

“The cancellation of the Intercontinental Cup is due to the threat posed by the influenza virus outbreak which has affected several countries,” the Football Association of Malaysia said in a statement.

“FAM referred the matter to the Health Ministry, and after close consultation with various parties, a conclusion to cancel the tournament was reached as the well-being of those involved comes first.”

The number of countries reporting swine flu cases stands at 31, with the World Health Organization confirming about 4,800 cases. At least 61 people have been killed by swine flu around the world: 56 in Mexico, three in the U.S., one in Canada and one in Costa Rica.

The virus, which is thought to have originated in Mexico, has left Asia relatively unscathed and authorities in the region are taking few chances with its possible spread.

In precautionary measures, competitors arriving in Thailand for next week’s youth world weightlifting championships will be monitored by thermal scanners at airports in a bid to identify possible infection, Thai media reported.

Any competitor or support staff appearing unwell, with high body temperature or flu-like symptoms, will be quarantined and forbidden to join the competition, the Nation newspaper reported.