<
>

Argentina prisoners call hunger strike to get TV fixed in time for World Cup

Nine prisoners in an Argentine prison have gone on a hunger strike to press authorities to repair the cable TV so they can watch the World Cup.

The inmates at Puerto Madryn jail, based in the province of Chubut, 800 miles south of Buenos Aires, wrote a letter by hand to a local judge to declare their protests overs the cable system which is damaged and hasn't worked for the past three days.

The local court posted the letter on its website and on social media.

Argentina face Iceland on Saturday in Moscow in their first match of the World Cup while the tournament in Russia kicks off on Thursday when hosts Russia take on Saudi Arabia.


World Cup 2018 must-reads

FC Match Predictor 2018

- Make your picks with ESPN FC Match Predictor 2018!
- Welcome to the Alternative 2018 World Cup Fans' Guide
- ESPN FC's experts make their picks
- Marvel's amazing World Cup spoilers
- Revealed: World Cup 2018 Ultimate XI
- Fixtures, results and full coverage
- Team-by-team previews of all 32 nations


In the letter, the inmates consider the audiovisual cable to be an "indispensable right" and urge the authorities to repair it.

The inmates believe the faulty system is a violation and cited law 23.098.

"We have taken a decision not to receive our lunch and supper until this inconvenience is solved," read the letter signed by the nine inmates.

Argentina have not won the World Cup since 1986 and have lost their last three major finals, two Copa America (2015, 2016) and the 2014 World Cup.

The Albiceleste, coached by Jorge Sampaoli, also take on Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.