Following the widespread criticism and protest, Argentina have called off their controversial friendly against Israel. Israel were set to host Argentina in Jerusalem on Saturday.

Palestinian Football Association chief Jibril Rajoub had led the protests, urging the fans to target Argentina star Lionel Messi. Rajoub reckoned the fans should burn Messi photos and shirts if the Barcelona star faces Israel in the game.

Well, no such nasty incident will now take place as Saturday’s game will not go ahead. Israel’s embassy confirmed the news while expressing its disappointment over the way things panned out.

“The Israeli embassy is sad to announce the suspension of the match between the Israel and Argentina national teams scheduled for Saturday June 9, as a warm-up for the Russia World Cup,” the statement reads.

“The threats and provocations directed at Lionel Messi, which logically aroused the solidarity of his colleagues and fear of playing the friendly, are no strangers to the daily life of Israel’s civilian population whose sporting stars, to put it simply, have been on numerous occasions the targets of violence and attacks.

“The friendship between Argentina and Israel, which will soon celebrate its 70th anniversary, is not about a football match. The democratic country and plural state (composed of Jews, Muslims and Christians), will always eagerly await the chance to receive one of the stars of Argentine sport.”

Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain also backed the news, claiming that the well-being of the players must be the first priority.

“I think that in the end the right thing was done,” he told ESPN. “It’s now behind us, obviously our health and common sense comes first. We think the right thing to do was not to go.”

The cancellation means Argentina will now go to Russia without any further warm-up game. The runners-up of last edition looked in good form during their friendly against Haiti last week. A Lionel Messi hat-trick had fired them to 4-0 win over the Caribbean minnows.