05 APRIL 2003
(from AP, 04 April, 10 p.m. PST)
reported to the 2003 FIFA World Cup news group at Yahoo
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2003_FIFA_World_Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Asian soccer authorities scrapped the
continent's qualifying series for the 2003 Women's World Cup
(originally scheduled for 17-30 April) because of the SARS outbreak.

The qualifying series in Bangkok involving Hong Kong, China,
Singapore and Vietnam among 15 participating nations was shelved due
to health concerns of players and officials, the Asian Football
Confederation said Friday.

"AFC's top priority is to safeguard the health and welfare of the
players, officials and fans, therefore we have decided it is not safe
to continue with this tournament," a statement said.

The AFC will announce new dates for the competition when its receives
clearance from health authorities.

The Oceania qualifying series was expected to start on schedule
Saturday at Canberra. The women's World Cup is due to be held in
China in September and October.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS, has killed 82 people
worldwide, with 46 victims in mainland China, 17 in Hong Kong, seven
in Canada, four in Vietnam, six in Singapore and two in Thailand.
More than 2,200 have been sickened in more than a dozen countries.

The SARS outbreak earlier forced the postponement of qualifiers for
the 2004 Athens Olympic involving Hong Kong against Sri Lanka, and
Taiwan against Singapore.