Czechs say playing soccer in Japan poses no risk

PRAGUE (AP) - The Czech Republic will travel to Japan for a soccer tournament after receiving assurance the nuclear crisis poses no risk.

The Czech Republic will play Peru on June 4 in the Kirin Cup in Matsumoto before meeting Japan on June 7 in Yokohama.

Team manager Vladimir Smicer said Tuesday that after consulting Czech and Japanese authorities “there’s no reason to withdraw from the tournament.”

The State Office for Nuclear Safety says the radiation-spewing Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant is too far from the venues _ about 175 miles _ to pose a threat.