World Cup qualifier to take place in Maldives despite state of emergency
The Hong Kong Football Association’s chairman said the Maldivian defence ministry has assured the Hong Kong team’s safety to FIFA “as the state of emergency is declared only to cope with the demonstration in their country this weekend.” The constitutional right to freedom of assembly was suspended two days ahead of a mass protest planned by the main opposition party.
08 Nov 2015, 9:00 AM
A FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Maldives and Hong Kong will take place as scheduled in the capital Malé on November 12 despite the ongoing state of emergency.
Raising concerns over player safety, the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) last week suggested postponing the game or switching it to a different venue.
But the Hong Kong team has now decided to travel for the game following assurances from the Maldivian authorities.
HKFA chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak told the South China Morning Post that the Maldivian defence ministry has assured the Hong Kong team’s safety to FIFA “as the state of emergency is declared only to cope with the demonstration in their country this weekend.”
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