Ghana writes to FIFA over security concerns

Accra, Nov 5 The Ghanaian government has asked FIFA to provide details of the security guarantees it received from Egyptian authorities before deciding that the second leg of the World Cup play-off should be played in Cairo.

Youth and Sports Minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah wrote to FIFA Monday asking for the concrete evidence that the Egyptian capital was safe for the match, reported Xinhua.

He is also seeking audience with FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter over the issue.

Egypt has witnessed series of attacks, riots and deaths following the removal of President Mohamed Morsi from power.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) had earlier written to the world football governing body to express concern about the security situation in the Egyptian capital, while appealing to FIFA to find “a safe and secure venue” for the Nov 19 return leg.

But FIFA, in response to the GFA, confirmed Cairo as the venue for the second leg match following a recent visit by its security inspection delegation and after writing to Egypt to provide the sports body with guarantees on the security situation.

However, Ghana is seeking particulars for security guarantees for the Ghanaian players, technical team and supporters who will fly to Egypt for the match, as a matter of urgency.

“Even though FIFA says its decision was based on guarantees received from the government of Egypt and CAF’s (Confederation of African Football) decision to allow Al Ahly to play their Champions League match in Cairo, the ministry strongly feels that merely relying on those guarantees without the provision of security details does not help Ghanaians who have expressed numerous fears about the looming dangers in Egypt,” the minister said in his letter.

He explained that when Egypt played Ghana in the first match, their players, technical team, media and teeming supporters had no safety or security issues, as they moved about freely from the airport, hotels and stadium. There was not a single recorded case of intimidation, violence or injury to report.

But due to the highly volatile situation in Egypt, the Ministry of Youth and Sports feels that Ghanaians will not enjoy the same safety and spirit of fair play accorded to the Egyptians when they came to Ghana for the first leg.

“We therefore wish to know the measures that have been put in place to contain the Egyptian soccer fans before, during and after the return match in Cairo. The Ministry of Youth and Sports also wants guarantees on actions that have been put in place by FIFA to contain the emotions of the Egyptian soccer fans in the aftermath of any result,” he said.

“Even though Ghana is ready and willing to play Egypt anywhere, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will like to know from FIFA who would be held liable, accountable and responsible in the unfortunate event of any Ghanaian being harmed before, during or after the match,” the letter noted.

Ghana defeated Egypt 6-1 in the first leg of the two-legged play-off in Kumasi Oct 15.

The aggregate winner qualifies for the Brazil finals in 2014.