FFA CEO David Gallop Waits On Word From FIFA Over Bangladesh Qualifier

Football Federation Australia "is determined not to put the Socceroos at risk as concerns grow over the fate of next month’s World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in Dhaka," according to Ray Gatt of THE AUSTRALIAN. FFA CEO David Gallop said that FFA "was still awaiting word from world governing body FIFA regarding concerns about security in Bangladesh following the killing of a Japanese businessman on Saturday." The 65-year-old’s murder "came less than a week after the death of an Italian aid worker." The Socceroos "are due to play Bangladesh on November 17 but FFA has already lodged concerns with FIFA via the Asian Football Confederation." Gallop said, "We have gone through the AFC and they have referred it to FIFA. It is a concern, the environment in Bangladesh, and we are monitoring it carefully." Bangladesh officials "are adamant there are no security issues for the Socceroos and are determined the match should go ahead there" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/7).