The Football Association in Ghana has appealed to Fifa to move the second leg of their 2014 World Cup play-off tie against Egypt to a neutral location.
The unrest in Cairo which does not seem to abate amidst the latest reports of scores of people who lost their lives last weekend in the clashes has been a core consideration for safety in the friendly competition of football which is meant to promote peace and goodwill. The security implications that are likely to surround the game in Cairo do not portend the best for all stakeholders.
The match is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, 19th November, 2013 in Cairo.
“Our request is premised on the alarming and fast deteriorating security situation in Egypt,” the GFA says in a letter in its website.
“The violence has shown no sign of abating.
“We are seriously concerned about the security and safety of our delegation and spectators if the match would be played in Egypt as events in the country pointedly indicate that our delegation could be exposed to danger as the violence and insecurity in the country continues relentlessly.
While FIFA confirms that it has received the request, it has stated that: ” We can’t give you an exact time-scale for the decision since we are currently monitoring the situation.”
Part of the Ghana FA’s worry is also that the match is due to be played before football spectators enthusiasts.
It would be Egypt’s first home match in the 2014 qualifying campaign to be have supporters watching.
“The GFA is gravely concerned that for the past two years Egyptian authorities have only allowed football matches to be played without spectators yet Ghana has reportedly been asked to play Egypt in Cairo before fans,” the letter continued.
“It is noteworthy that Egypt played all their home qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup with Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Guinea in Egypt without spectators.
“Local clubs Al Ahly and Zamalek played their recent Caf Champions League matches behind closed doors as the security authorities refused the supporters access to the games because of the current turmoil in Egypt.
The GFA highlights past internationals that have been moved to neutral venues because of worries over the safety of players and officials.
“Due to the civil and political problems, Libya played their football games in Tunisia between 1st June 2012 and 10th September, 2013,” the letter says.
“The 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches involving the Central African Republic were moved to neutral venues due to political instability in that country.
“Much as we sympathize with our brothers at the Egyptian Football Association, we are highly concerned about the security and safety of our players, officials and supporters.
“We would like FIFA to take the necessary steps to protect lives and from both Ghana and Egypt during the second-leg game.
“The GFA is asking FIFA to re-evaluate the decision to host the World Cup playoff in Egypt in November as the safety of our delegation would be as risk if the match is played in Cairo.”
The first leg of the tie is due to be played in Kumasi on 15 October.
