Published: 15 June, 2009, 19:16
Edited: 15 June, 2009, 19:16
Football specialists have long got used to the chaos in some of the Southern American football federations. What happened in Columbia last week is yet another example.
Peruvian striker Hernan Rengifo, nicknamed Charapa (or “turtle”), was left behind in the team hotel following the World Cup qualifier in Colombia, local media reports.
The squad left their team hotel in Medellin earlier than planned, but nobody told Rengifo of the change. His absence was only noted after the team's charter flight had returned to Lima.
“The directors know what they did, they're responsible for everyone in the team,” the Polish-based player told sports daily El Bocon. “Many things have happened in Peruvian football that it's not surprising that unusual situations keep happening.”
The Peruvian players union has threatened to boycott the national team if significant changes are not introduced in the next few weeks.
Having not qualified for the World Cup since 1982, Peru are outsiders in the 2010 South American qualifying group.