By David Gold
April 4 – Reports claim that Japan has officially withdrawn from the Copa America this summer, with Costa Rica or the United States favourites to take their place in July’s tournament.
The country’s participation in the tournament has been in doubt since an earthquake and tsunami hit the country last month, prompting the suspension of football in Japan, with cancelled games set to be rescheduled for July, when the Copa America is set to take place in Argentina.
Japan Football Association President Junji Ogura was set for talks with Nicolas Leoz, the head of CONMEBOL, South American football’s governing body, followed by a meeting with Julio Grondona from the Argentine Football Association.
And according to reports in Spanish language media, Ogura has reportedly told Japanese media that they will not be participating in the Copa America because of the need to play rescheduled league games during that month.
He had said before setting off to meet Leoz that “we had asked to be invited to the South American championship, therefore, it is not for us to make a decision unilaterally.”
It was to be the first time that Japan or any Asian country had participated in the Copa America, with two nations from other continents invited to participate in each tournament, most typically the United States or Mexico.
Ogura insisted that national team coach Alberto Zaccheroni had left the decision in his hands.
“He naturally wants to play against the strong teams,” he said.
“He understands that it is not realistic to consider sending a team with the best members, he is leaving everything to me in the end.”
Japan was set to participate alongside Argentina, Colombia and Bolivia in Group A of the 12 team tournament.
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