Wellington Phoenix's pre-season soccer tour of China has been cancelled due to the devastating earthquake in that country.
The Phoenix were scheduled to play three matches in China from June 8-16, including an earthquake relief match in Beijing.
However, with a humanitarian crisis looming in the worst affected
Sichuan province in southern China, Chinese Government and Wellington Phoenix officials decided it was inappropriate for the team to tour.
Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said it was a disappointing but understandable decision to cancel the visit.
"Unfortunately, given what's happened in China, it's been difficult to put the tour together and we've decided not to travel," he said today.
"The Chinese Government has suspended the (domestic) division two and division three competitions and has decided only international fixtures will go ahead."
The death toll from the May 12 earthquake and repeated aftershocks has been put at 80,000 with an additional five million people left homeless.
Pignata said a Phoenix/celebrity side would take part in a special charity match against a Chinese club side from Christchurch on Sunday.
Coin donations at the match in Wellington will be donated to the earthquake relief efforts.
"We'd love the fans to come to Newtown Park on Sunday to support the cause and in particular the Phoenix's Chinese player Leilei Gao, who has put a lot of effort into organising this event to try and help relief efforts in his home country."
The cancellation of the tour had put a significant dent in the A-League team's pre-season buildup efforts but Pignata said the club was now examining other options closer to home.
A five-day visit to Christchurch is one option being explored, with matches also being investigated against Australian opposition.
- NZPA
