Cairo venue for Ghana-Egypt in doubt, FIFA reconsidering decision after President Mahama intervention

Sepp Blatter says FIFA is reconsidering its decision to allow Egypt to host their World Cup tie against Ghana in Cairo this month after the government of the West African country approached the governing body.

Ghana President John Mahama this week asked Blatter to examine the decision carefully in the wake of the growing violence in the north African country ahead of the second-leg of the play-off to the World Cup.

Ghana legend Abedi Pele spoke to Blatter this week on behalf of the Ghana President after the country sports minister had also written to FIFA over their decision to approve the match for Cairo.

Ghana’s FA request to have the match on 19 November moved to a neutral venue on security grounds was rejected before the country’s sports minister and President waded into the matter to show the country’s grave concern over the security concern.

Ghana’s Sports Minister had requested an urgent meeting with Fifa to discuss the issue in the wake of the political and social unrest in Egypt since President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown by the military.

President John Mahama also asked Abedi Pele to speak to Mr Blatter to ensure that FIFA looks at its decision again.

Fifa now says is looking carefully at the decision to allow Egypt to play their second-leg World Cup tie against Ghana in Cairo.

“We should be very careful because they (Ghana) fear something should (might) happen.” Blatter said in his first public comments on the matter.

“We are looking at this matter, there have been matches played in Egypt, international club matches, but we must be careful.”

The Fifa president Sepp Blatter also revealed that he wants to get rid of World Cup qualifying play-off ties in future.

The head of the game’s world governing body says play-offs are a hard way for teams to miss out on the finals.

Twenty teams, plus hosts Brazil, have qualified for next year’s tournament via round-robin groups.

The remaining 11 places will be decided this month, all in two-legged play-offs.

Five matches will be played in Africa, between runners-up from the 10 second-round groups.