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Egypt FA spokesman plays down FIFA deadline over Ghana clash The Egyptian Football Association says a FIFA letter asking for security guarantees ahead of a home World Cup playoff against Ghana is only a formality
Egyptian Football Association (EFA) spokesman Azmy Megahed has played down the significance of FIFA's demand that they provide security guarantees ahead of next month's home World Cup playoff against Ghana. FIFA has given Egypt until 28 October to provide "comprehensive security assurances" for the playoff second-leg, which is due to take place at the army-owned Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on 19 November. Jerome Valcke, FIFA's secretary general, also said in the letter that the world governing body "would need to consider alternatives in the event that this were not the case in November". The FIFA deadline was in response to a Ghana request to switch the match to a neutral venue, given lingering security concerns in Egypt. "This letter is a routine procedure. A FIFA inspection team has already granted us its approval to stage the game at the Air Defence Stadium," Azmy said on Saturday. "The EFA will contact Egyptian authorities to get the necessary security assurances," he added. Egypt has been in a political turmoil since the army ousted President Mohamed Morsi on 3 July. At least 57 were killed in clashes between supporters of Morsi and his opponents and security forces on 6 October as Islamists marched nationwide on the 40th anniversary of Egypt's war against Israel. Ghana host Egypt in the first leg in Kumasi on Tuesday. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/83855.aspx
