Asia’s elite men’s footballers are on top form as they prepare to travel to conflict-torn Saudi Arabia for the Asian Cup in January.
More than 10 people were killed and hundreds were injured as a result of multiple rocket attacks by the Houthis on the international airport of Riyadh in recent days.
Five of the eight venues in the continental tournament are in Riyadh, and the hosts will face Palestine in the tournament opener on January 7. In total, 31 matches will be held in the capital, including the final on February 5.
Saudi Arabia’s eastern regions have also been threatened during the Iran-US conflict this year, including the Persian Gulf city of Al Khobar, which will host seven matches, including Australia vs Singapore on January 9.
Confusion is brewing across Asia about the safety of travelers to Saudi Arabia. The Japan Football Association has pulled out of the FIFAe video game World Cup in Saudi Arabia later this month “following a thorough assessment of the current situation in the host country and the available safety and security information.”
A statement from Fifpro Asia/Oceania president Beau Bush said his organisation’s thoughts were with all those affected by the conflict in the region, but he acknowledged players’ concerns about the upcoming tournament.
“The safety of players, fans and staff must be a priority and central consideration in the planning and delivery of the AFC Asian Cup,” he said.
The Asian Champions League match between Ange Postecoglou’s Al-Nassr Riyadh team, which includes Cristiano Ronaldo, was delayed by an hour on Monday. The military coalition led by Saudi Arabia said it captured a missile fired by the Houthis in the direction of Riyadh.
Busch is also the chief executive of the Australian players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia. The Socceroos are also due to travel to the region in the November international window for matches against Qatar in Doha and Jordan in Amman.
“Through the PFA and Fifpro, the global players’ union, we have continued to monitor the situation and liaise closely with Football Australia and external experts,” he said.
“Risk assessments are conducted before all camps and will continue to be critical ahead of the Asian Cup with the ever-changing security situation in the region,” he said.
“We will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure the safety, welfare and well-being of players in the region remains a priority ahead of January and the upcoming November friendlies.”
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Football Australia said in a statement that it was “closely monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia”, that “the safety and well-being of our players, staff and supporters remains paramount” and that a risk assessment ahead of January would be “a key focus”.
“We are in regular contact with Professional Footballers Australia and will continue our dialogue with the Asian Football Confederation on tournament plans, guided by the Australian government’s recommendations,” he said.
The Australian government’s Smartraveller website was last updated on Monday. “We continue to recommend that you reconsider your need for travel due to the security situation in Saudi Arabia,” it said.
The Asian Football Confederation declined to comment on Tuesday, despite the players’ concerns.
The organization has signed up a number of sponsors for the Saudi Arabia-based tournament, including Aramco, Alrajhi Bank and NEOM.
FIFA awarded the right to host the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia three years ago in an abbreviated process that surprised observers.