Could Argentina finally give up its trip to Angola? Four Angolan NGOs, including an affiliate to the Catholic church, asked the Argentine star on Tuesday and his selection to give up a friendly match scheduled in November in Angola. The meeting was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's independence.
The Angolan Football Federation announced the agreement after the visit of its president in Buenos Aires on April 30. The Argentine Federation (AFA) has well accredited this visit, but has not yet confirmed the holding of the meeting, leaving the uncertainty over the world champions calendar.
NGO's demand follows a drama: 30 people lost their lives during demonstrations against the increase in fuel prices last month. Pillage broke out in Luanda on July 28 and 29, when a taxi driver strike degenerated in the Angolan capital.
Messi arrested
“This serious social crisis occurs in a political context marked by a systematic repression of citizens expressing critical opinions”underlines the collective led by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Episcopal Conference. In their open letter to Messi and AFA, they denounce the gap between sporting spectacle and human suffering.
“Investing millions of dollars in a sporting event when thousands of people are hungry, hospitals collapse and repression is intensifying is not a legitimate priority, it is an insult to human dignity”alert NGOs, calling Messi to a “Courageous, ethical and humanitarian act” : Cancel the match.
