Ghana have lodged a request to FIFA to change the venue of their World Cup qualifying playoff return game against Egypt. As both sides clash in Kumasi next week, the second leg takes place in Cairo on November 19, with the Egyptian FA announcing that fans will be allowed at the Air Defense Stadium. Following more violence in Egypt during the past couple of days, the Ghana FA issued a statement expressing its grave concern over insecurity in Cairo. Protect lives "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. "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.
Fans attended Egypt's game against Zimbabwe "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 Ahli 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. "Due to the civil and political problems, Libya played their football games in Tunisia between 1st June 2012 and 10th September, 2013. "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."
