Chile cancels soccer friendly with Peru

SANTIAGO - Chilean football governing body ANFP has announced the cancelation of a friendly against Peru next week because of ongoing civil unrest in Chile.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ANFP said head coach Reinaldo Rueda had accepted a request from Chile's players to withdraw from the clash in Lima.

"The players called up for the Chilean national team have decided not to play in the friendly against Peru, scheduled for next Tuesday, November 19, in Lima," the statement read.

It gave no further details about the reason for the players' decision. Midfielder Charles Aranguiz told reporters on Tuesday that the match should not be played out of respect for the events in Chile.

The South American country has been beset by unrest since October 20, when protests against a now-suspended hike in subway fares in capital Santiago escalated to a wider movement demanding lower living costs and greater income equality.

At least 20 people have been killed and hundreds more injured amid clashes between protesters and police, looting and arson attacks, according to local authorities.

The violence has prompted the cancelation of two major summits. Last week the ANFP also canceled a planned friendly against Bolivia in Santiago, and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) moved the final of the Copa Libertadores from the city because of security fears.

The tournament decider between Brazil's Flamengo and defending champions River Plate of Argentina will now be played in Lima on November 23.