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Uruguay shamed by fans

Australian team attacked on arrival in Montevideo

An angry Uruguayan is held back as Socceroo Tony Popovic makes his way out of Montevideo's airport. AP

SYDNEY (Reuters) -- Uruguay has apologized to the Australian government after a mob attacked the Australia team on its arrival in Montevideo to prepare for Sunday's second leg of their World Cup playoff.

Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Uruguay said it regretted the incident and promised to increase security around the team after the players were punched and spat on.

Australia beat Uruguay 1-0 in the first leg of the playoff in Melbourne to take a precious lead into Sunday's return leg at the Estadio Centenario stadium with the eventual winner advancing to next year's World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan.

Downer said Australia's ambassador to Argentina and two embassy staff had been ordered to travel to Montevideo to discuss the security issue with the Uruguayan authorities.

"Uruguay has given an assurance that security will be upgraded immediately for the Socceroos at their hotel, during training sessions and during the match," Downer's spokesman told Reuters.

"The ambassador stressed the incident at the airport was the responsbility of a tiny minority and the overwhelming majority of Uruguayans welcomed the visit by the Socceroos."

Uruguay's Ambassador to Australia, Pablo Sader, told Australian radio his country deeply regretted the incident.

"We have been playing international games like this for over a century and an episode like this one never happened before," Sader said.

"Ours is a very peaceful and peace loving country and we don't have a history or tradition of hooliganism."

An angry mob of about 50 supporters jostled and abused the Australian team as it tried to exit the airport and board its team bus after arriving in Uruguay on Wednesday.

At least one player was punched and a number of other players and officials were spat on as they made their way out of the airport terminal.

Australian coach Frank Farina, shown on Australian television wiping spit from his face, said he was disgusted by the incident.

"It will have to be reported -- you can't have that happening, it's not civilized," he said.

Uruguay's players have been heavily criticized by their supporters after finishing fifth in the South American qualifiers to miss out on an automatic place in the World Cup.

Uruguay won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950 but has failed to qualify for the finals since 1990.

Australia has qualified only once, in 1974.

 

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