Mexico cuts ties with SAmerican football confederation

The Mexican Football Federation has cut ties with South America’s football governing body, cancelling its participation all CONMEBOL competitions over the reaction to the swine flu outbreak.

“As of today, Mexico is withdrawing from the Copa Libertadores, the Copa Sudamericana and the Copa America,” Decio de Maria, secretary general of the Mexican federation, said.

De Maria didn’t rule out further negotiations that could see Mexico, which is part of the North and Central and Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF), reach an accord with the South American confederation, with which it cooperates to participate in several prestigious tournaments.

The move came after Mexican football clubs Chivas Guadalajara and San Luis withdrew from the Copa Libertadores after their round of 16 opponents from South America declined to play in Mexico following the swine flu outbreak.

Uruguay’s Nacional, slated to play San Luis, and Brazil’s Sao Paulo, scheduled to take on Guadalajara, both indicated to CONMEBOL that they wouldn’t make the trip to Mexico citing the swine flu outbreak that has sickened 1,319 people with 45 confirmed deaths.