Sheikh Salman, the President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), stated today (Thursday) that the organization is in no rush to postpone the 2027 Asian Cup. These remarks come as the security situation in Saudi Arabia has been severely impacted by missile attacks from the Yemeni army, raising significant concerns among the football federations of Asian countries.
Increasing Concerns Following Yemeni Attacks
Following a retaliatory attack by the Yemeni army on King Khalid Airport in Riyadh, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people and injuries to over 300, concerns regarding the security of the Asian Cup have reached a peak. These attacks have made Saudi Arabia the most insecure country in the Gulf region, and Asian football federations, including those from Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Uzbekistan, have sent letters to the AFC requesting a review of the security situation and the possibility of a one-year postponement of the tournament.
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Cancellation of Matches Due to Insecurity
As the most critical match of the Saudi Pro League week, the encounter between Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli, was canceled due to insecurity, the global tennis tournament hosted in Riyadh was also canceled yesterday. However, Sheikh Salman, after a week of silence, emphasized the need to review the situation by November and stated that there is no rush to postpone the Asian Cup.
In this context, the Japan Times reported that the Japanese Football Federation intends to withdraw from the Asian Cup due to the unsafe conditions in Saudi Arabia. This comes as the AFC previously canceled the hosting of Iranian representatives immediately following the U.S. military attack on Iran, forcing Iranian teams to play in third countries due to adverse conditions.
The Role of Financial Interests in AFC Decisions
Sami Jabir, a Saudi football legend, believes that the AFC has made the best decision regarding the security situation in Riyadh, as the security situation is not permanent and there is a possibility of improvement. However, Jonathan Ruiz, an Australian football expert, believes that the AFC has prioritized its financial interests over the lives of football players and that an immediate postponement of the matches is the least expected action from this organization.
According to Reuters, the AFC is facing serious challenges and must make a decision in the short term to resolve the uncertainty. This decision could include announcing a one-year postponement of the Asian Cup or canceling Saudi Arabia's hosting if insecurity persists. In that case, the tournament would need to be held in another country to ensure the safety and tranquility of the matches.
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