2011 Copa América: Japan out, Costa Rica in

2011 AFC Asian Cup champions Japan has now made a final decision not to play in the upcoming 2011 Copa América, the South American football championships, to be held in Argentina from July 1 to 24. The Japan Football Association took this decision after much thought, but with European clubs unwillingness to release players in pre-season left the JFA had no other option but to opt out. They will now be replaced by central American nation Costa Rica.

Initially the JFA revised its decision after requests from South America after it had decided earlier to pull out in view of the situation in the island nation following the earthquake and tsunami on March 11. This was due to the fact that the J-League will be running during the period when the Copa América will be played and Japanese clubs had opposed any move of denying them of their best players. The JFA had send a special request to FIFA to help them get release of their players from European clubs as their participation is under the 'guest status' which doesn't force clubs to release players, but this didn't help.

"I regret very much to communicate to you that the Japanese national team cannot take part in the Copa America," JFA president Junji Ogura told tournament organising committee chief Jose Luis Meiszner in a letter to the Argentinian FA.

"Although the European clubs understand our situation, unfortunately most of them have told us they cannot release their players," Ogura was quoted as saying on the AFA's website ( www.afa.org.ar ).

Costa Rica now replace Japan and will take their place in Group A alongside hosts Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia.