Chile Miners Watch Soccer From Underground

By: Bill Waters
09/08/2010 10:22 PM ET

Chile Miners Soccer – Chilean miners trapped underground for more than a month have been given a special treat — the opportunity to watch their national team play football.

Footage of Chile’s friendly against Ukraine last night was beamed down to the miners through a fibre optic cable sent down a bore hole. The 33 miners were able to watch the image of the action on a wall in their underground home. Former international star Franklin Lobos acted as commentator, while Chile’s national football team wore T-shirts with messages of support for the miners.

The men, who have been trapped since August 5 following a landslide at the gold and copper mine in the Atacama desert, sung and cheered their team on. They could be released next month despite original estimates the rescue operation could last until Christmas.

Doctors have warned the men they are at serious risk from infection in the hot, sweaty conditions. Despite their football treat, the miners’ rescuers couldn’t arrange for a result to make them smile. Chile, who made it through to the last 16 at the World Cup in South Africa, lost 2-1 to Ukraine in Kiev.

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