Argentine, Chilean, Mexican federations discuss challenges at Soccerex

Madrid, Sep 24 (EFE).- The presidents of the soccer federations of Argentina (AFA), Claudio Tapia; Chile (ANFP), Pablo Milad; and Mexico (FMF), Yon de Luisa, told the virtual forum ‘Soccerex Connected’ on Thursday that their  immediate projects centered on technological modernization and the return of football after the pandemic.

Argentina’s Tapia highlighted in a videoconference message projects such as the “sports technology schools” in which the AFA intends to develop foreign talent with Argentine soccer methods, the first set to take place in Dubai.

Tapia also highlighted the “economic reorganization” that was needed to survive the coronavirus crisis.

“Of the ten South American federations, we are the only one that has managed to pay the television rights to the 152 professional clubs and the 16 Primera B on time,” he said.

Tapia said his next challenges were the organization of the Copa América together with Colombia, postponed to 2021 and “the great costs of improving the stadiums.”

The president of the Chilean National Professional Soccer Association,  Milad, said his immediate challenge was the organization of the women’s Copa Libertadores, the date for which has not yet been confirmed but is expected to be at the beginning of 2021.

The president of the Mexican Association of Soccer Association, Yon de Luisa, detailed the support that Mexican soccer has given to the care of children during the coronavirus pandemic through the ‘We Play All’ program that has exceeded 6 million beneficiaries, as well as with the ‘Football Meter’ application, which has had 200,000 downloads.

“We are committed to a responsible return to the playing fields, implementing protocols for players, referees and footballers,” De Luisa said.

After the cancellation of the friendly scheduled against Costa Rica on September 30, Mexico is searching for rivals in order to maintain their edge and so the Mexican team will travel to play in the Netherlands on October 7.

“We are looking for the best rivals to make up for all the lost time,” he said while connected telematically, like his colleagues, in the ‘Soccerex Connected’ forum taking place this week. EFE