Turkey to remain host of U-20 World Cup despite recent violence
1st match scheduled for June 21
FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Wednesday the Under-20 World Cup will go ahead next week despite anti-government protests in Turkey.
The 24-nation tournament is set to start on Friday next week in seven cities in Turkey, which has faced nearly two weeks of the biggest anti-government protests in decades.
Blatter said on Wednesday FIFA was in contact with Turkish "political authorities, especially with the security." He added that "the guarantees have been given and I am sure that nothing will happen."
He says the tournament "is a good opportunity to show that football can bring people together. We shall stay there and I am sure that political authorities in Turkey are aware of that."
Blatter was in Serbia on an official visit.
Istanbul is also one of three cities bidding for the 2020 Olympics. That decision will be made in September by the International Olympic Committee.