FIFA says Maximum Security will be Available for Ghana for World Cup Qualifier in Cairo
The International Federation of Association Football, FIFA, has assured Ghanaian officials that due security “guarantees” are in place for the weekend’s World Cup playoff in Egypt after police and fans clashed in Cairo at the African Champions League final.
FIFA Secretary, General Jerome Valcke met Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah and Ghana Football Association, President Kwesi Nyantakyi in Togo and told them that plans regarding the venue, date and security measures have not changed.
“The security guarantees and security plan by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior will take into account the provisions laid down in the FIFA stadium safety and security regulations,” the governing body said in a statement.
The Ghana federation cited a letter from Valcke saying there will be police escorts for players and officials in Cairo and “sufficient” security at team hotels and practice sites.
The Ghana Federation has said it fears its delegation will be caught up in possible protests by Egyptian fans against the military leadership when Egypt hosts Ghana at the military-owned 30 June Stadium.
The was a riot on Sunday before Egypt’s Al Ahly beat South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in the African Champions League final. No injuries were reported, although police fired tear gas at hundreds of rioting Al Ahly fans before the game.
Sunday’s second leg of the African club final was the first major match in Egypt where so many fans had been allowed into a stadium since the Port Said disaster in 2012 when 74 people, mostly Ahly fans, died in a soccer riot at a game.
The World Cup Qualifiers match to be played on Nov 16 is the first international game in the capital since 2011, the year former President Hosni Mubarak was forced from power.