On October 13, The Guardian reported that recent missile attacks on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have once again raised security concerns ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup.

FIFPRO, the global union of professional football players, is continuously monitoring the situation, and relevant organizations such as Football Australia are also assessing security risks. With only months before the tournament begins in January, whether Saudi Arabia can guarantee the safety of players, fans, and staff has become a central concern for all parties.

In recent days, Houthi rebels launched multiple missile attacks on Riyadh's International Airport, resulting in more than a dozen deaths and hundreds of wounded.

Of the eight venues for this Asian Cup, five are located in Riyadh. Host nation Saudi Arabia will face Palestine in the opening match on January 7. A total of 31 matches, including the final on February 5, are scheduled to take place in Riyadh.

Earlier this year, during tensions between Iran and the United States, eastern Saudi Arabia also faced security threats. Al-Khobar, a city on the Persian Gulf coast, has also been affected and will host seven Asian Cup matches, including Australia vs Singapore on January 9.

As the situation evolves, security concerns are growing across Asia regarding the safety of personnel traveling to Saudi Arabia for the tournament. The Japan Football Association has already announced its withdrawal from the FIFA eWorld Cup, which was scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia later this month. The JFA stated that this decision was made following a "comprehensive assessment of the current situation in the host country and available security information."

Bo Busch, FIFPRO Asia-Pacific President, said in a statement that the organization expresses concern for all those affected by the regional conflict and acknowledges players' concerns about the upcoming Asian Cup.

He stated: "The safety of players, fans, and staff must be paramount and at the center of the Asian Cup's planning and organization."

Currently, Al Nassr, which features Cristiano Ronaldo, is managed by Ange Postecoglou. An Al Nassr AFC Champions League match was postponed by one hour on Monday. Earlier, a Saudi Arabia-led military coalition announced that it had intercepted a missile launched by Houthi rebels toward Riyadh.

Busch also serves as CEO of Professional Footballers Australia. The Australian national team also plans to travel to the region during the November international window to play Qatar in Doha and Jordan in Amman.

Busch said: "Through Professional Footballers Australia and the global players organization FIFPRO, we have continuously monitored the situation and maintained close communication with Football Australia and external experts."

He added: "We conduct risk assessments ahead of each national team camp. Given the evolving security situation in the region, it will be crucial to conduct relevant assessments before the Asian Cup begins."

"We will continue to work with all relevant parties to ensure that the safety, mental and physical health, and well-being of players are always prioritized ahead of the Asian Cup in January and upcoming international friendlies in November."

Football Australia stated in a statement that it is "closely monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia" and emphasized that "the safety and well-being of players, staff, and fans remain paramount." The association also noted that risk assessments will be a key focus before the Asian Cup begins in January.

A Football Australia spokesperson said: "We have been in regular contact with Professional Footballers Australia and will continue to communicate with the Asian Football Confederation regarding the tournament's organization plans, guided by advice from the Australian government."

The Australian government's travel safety website, Smartraveller, updated its information on Monday. The website states: "Given the security situation in Saudi Arabia, we continue to advise people to reconsider the need to travel to the country."

Despite players expressing concerns, the AFC declined to comment on the matter on Tuesday.

Traduzido por IA.

O site do AF já está online! Acesse notícias completas, comentários, detalhes de partidas e estatísticas no seu computador. Acesse: www.allfootballapp.com