FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Columbia to face Argentina amid tight security

Barranquilla (Colombia): Colombia will face Argentina for World Cup qualifier amid tight security at Estadio Metropolitano in the Caribbean port city of Barranquilla on Tuesday.

The match comes as violent anti-government protests that began in April continue to roil the South American country.

More than 4,500 security personnel will be deployed to ensure safety of the players according to authorities.

An IANS report qouted Barranquilla police chief Diego Rosero saying that a special division of more than 2,000 men and women will be involved in the security operation in and around the stadium

"An additional 2,500 officers will patrol the streets to guarantee the safety of citizens throughout Barranquilla.", the report quoted Rosero saying

The security operation will be reinforced by the use of 800 surveillance cameras, a drone and at least one helicopter, Rosero added

Earlier, officials had confirmed that 10,000 fans would be present at the stadium, despite the country's surging Covid-19 infection rate.

Matchday 8 of the South American World Cup Qualifiers 2022 will see the two teams taking on each other, which will be broadcast by Fubo TV, who have exclusive streaming rights in the US.

Meanwhile, the health ministry of Columbia reported 30,000 new coronavirus cases on June 4, the highest figure since the pandemic began.

Colombia was last month dropped as a host of the Copa America because of the civil unrest, which has left at least 59 people dead, according to official figures.

The continental tournament is now scheduled to take place in Brazil from June 13 to July 10.