Sports
ZURICH (AP) — Ghana wants a neutral venue for next month's crucial World Cup playoff against Egypt, saying it's too dangerous to play in Cairo.
The Ghana Football Federation says in a letter to FIFA that the venue should be changed because of the "alarming and fast deteriorating security situation in Egypt."
At least 51 people were killed in riots in Cairo last weekend linked to the ousting of elected state president Mohammed Morsi.
The GFA says some of its players expressed "grave concern over their safety for the match."
Egypt is scheduled to host Ghana in Cairo on Nov. 19 in the second leg to decide which country advances to next year's tournament in Brazil. The first leg is Oct. 15 in Kumasi.
The GFA notes that Egyptian authorities have barred spectators from football matches for the past two years.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
