Blatter says U20 World Cup in Turkey to go ahead

By foxsports
Published

FIFA President Sepp Blatter says the Under-20 World Cup will go ahead next week despite anti-government protests in Turkey.

The 24-nation tournament is set to start June 21 in seven cities in Turkey, which has faced nearly two weeks of the biggest anti-government protests in decades.

Blatter said Wednesday FIFA was in contact with Turkish ''political authorities, especially with the security.'' He adds 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.