Ghana concerned about World Cup security

Ghana’s sports minister has requested a meeting with FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke over security plans for the World Cup qualifier against Egypt in Cairo.

In a letter to Valcke, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah said his sports ministry and the Ghana Football Association still had “genuine security concerns” over the November 19 game, which FIFA decreed could go ahead.

The match will be the first involving Egypt to attract a sizeable crowd since a riot at a club match in Port Said in 2012 led to the deaths of more than 70.

Ghana’s sports ministry said it had accepted FIFA’s decision — although it wasn’t completely happy with it — but asked for more details on the security guarantees given to FIFA by Egyptian authorities.

“Even though Ghana is ready and willing to play Egypt anywhere, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (would) 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,” Ankrah wrote.

FIFA said in an email to The Associated Press that “the security guarantees and security plan take into account all the provisions laid down in the FIFA stadium safety and security regulations.”