Portugal bow to SARS threat
Thursday, April 10, 2003
Article summary
The Portuguese national side have cancelled their summer tour of the Far East due to fears over the SARS virus.
Article body
The Portuguese national side have cancelled their summer tour of the Far East due to fears over the SARS virus.
Fatal disease
The hosts of UEFA EURO 2004™ hosts were due to play the Korean Republic on 8 June in Seoul before travelling to Saitama to play Japan on 11 June, but fears over the potentially fatal virus have now resulted in the abandonment of those plans.
Tour cancelled
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has been relatively widespread in certain Asian nations, and with the risks of contracting the illness so great, the Portuguese Football Association (FPF) decided to cancel the tour today.
Practice matches
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side will now look to get some vital practice games in ahead of hosting the UEFA European Championship, and rumours are already circulating of a friendly being arranged against 2002 FIFA World Cup opponents the United States.