Tunisian players take a break from training to vote in referendum

Updated: Saturday May 25, 2002 02:46 a.m. ET

KASHIHARA, Japan (AP) -- Tunisia's World Cup players have taken a break from training to perform a civic duty -- voting in a referendum on changing their country's constitution. Players and team officials voted Friday at the town hall in the western town of Kashihara, in the presence of Tunisian Embassy staff, the Tunisian news agency TAP reported. Tunisians at home will vote Sunday on the plan to change the constitution for the first time since independence in 1956. It is aimed primarily at allowing President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali to seek a fourth term in office in 2004. Tunisia opens World Cup play June 5 against Russia in Group H, which also includes Belgium and co-host Japan. (nk)