FIFA observer for Montevideo clash
The bad blood between Australia and Uruguay in the lead-up to their World Cup qualifying series continues unabated with reports the South Americans are incensed with a decision to send a FIFA observer to the opening match in Montevideo.
Football Federation Australia announced it was now happy with security arrangements ahead of the November clash at Estadio Centanario on November 12, a spokesperson for the FFA confirming soccer's governing body would definitely have a presence at the match.
But according to Uruguayan newspaper El Observador the hosts are far from impressed.
The newspaper reported the head of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) Eugenio Figueredo had flown to FIFA's Zurich headquarters to dispute the decision on the grounds that it was not necessary.
Figueredo was also reported to be displeased with comments made by his Australian counterpart John O'Neill and wanted to discuss them with FIFA.
O'Neill had described the 2001 incidents as part of "an orchestrated campaign by some pretty unsavoury parts of the Montevideo football establishment that went into a systematic objective of undermining the Socceroos".
He added: "in some cultures the opposition team is regarded as fair game. It's not on, this is a FIFA match."
Australia had sort FIFA's involvement in Montevideo after a bitter experience during the 2001 playoff, where Socceroo players were spat at and jostled on arrival at Montevideo Airport.
After taking a 1-0 lead after the first match Australia lost the return fixture 3-0, ensuring Uruguay qualified for the 2002 World Cup.
The enmity between the countries has been escalating since the teams qualified as the last playoff pairing for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
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