Calls to cancel Russia's World Cup

The Dutch soccer association (KNVB) wants to postpone discussion over participation in the next World Cup in Russia as an angry country on Wednesday mourned victims of the Malaysian airliner allegedly shot down over Ukraine by armed separatists on a flight from Amsterdam last week.

The KNVB said in a statement it had received many questions over playing in the 2018 World Cup in Russia but felt a debate should be delayed while the country observed a national day of mourning.

All 298 people on board the Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 died when it was brought down on July 17 in eastern Ukraine, where Kiev is struggling to quell the rebellion.