Chile calls off matches after quake

Chile has called off two football friendly matches this week because of the powerful earthquake that has killed at least 700 people in the country.

The South Americans were scheduled to play an unusual doubleheader on Wednesday in Santiago, facing North Korea and Costa Rica. Chile will be playing in its first World Cup since 1998. North Korea has also advanced to the finals beginning June 11 in South Africa.

Harold Mayne-Nicholls, president of the Chile federation, said football was a low priority in the face of the death and destruction brought by the earthquake.