Lebanon to host Asian Cup: AFC executive
Lebanon to host Asian Cup: AFC executive
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Asian Football Confederation (AFC) supremo Peter Velappan on Saturday said the Asian Cup finals will be played in Lebanon despite this month's Israeli bombing.
"I want to tell you ... this morning, the AFC executive committee chaired by His Royal Highness Sultan Ahmad Shah have categorically declared that the Asian Cup will be hosted by Lebanon in October 2000.
"And there will be no other intention to move the Asian Cup from Lebanon," Velappan, AFC general secretary told reporters.
Lebanese officials immediately hailed the confederation decision and one described it as a mark of solidarity among AFC members.
There were fears that the Asian Cup finals from October 12 to 29 will be moved from Lebanon due to security concerns following the Israeli bombings.
Velappan said the decision was based on an initiative by the United Nations and the United States for the liberation of Lebanon by Israel by June.
"Everybody thinks that peace will once more return and that the Asian Cup will take place in a complete atmosphere of peace in Lebanon," he said.
Velappan also said Saturday's meeting did not discuss contingency measures, if there were further Israeli bombings.
"The executive committee declared Asian solidarity for Lebanon. There was absolutely no discussion on contingency plans. As I say, God willing, Lebanon will enjoy peace once more after the Israeli withdrawal," he said.
Rahif Alameh, secretary-general of the Lebanese Football Association greeted AFC's decision with relief and thanked the confederation for its support.
"We are relieved. We are very happy but I was not surprised by the decision," he said.
Rahif said none of the four football stadiums for the Asian Cup were damaged by the bombings but some power stations were.
"The two stadiums in Beirut are ready while the one in Tripoli and one in Saida will be ready by April 15."
The construction cost of all four stadiums is about 115 million dollars, he said.
"We do not feel there is any risk against our football infrastructure," he said.
Security concerns were heightened following Israel's February 8 air raids which wounded 22 civilians and destroyed three power stations.
The Israeli raids followed attacks in Israeli-occupied southern Lebanon by Syrian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas which killed five Israeli soldiers.
In Berlin, SV Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen on Friday gave further impetus to Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich, which meets MSV Duisburg in the Olympic stadium on Saturday.
Second-placed Leverkusen, could only draw at Schalke 04 and SV Hamburg, in third spot, lost at Hertha Berlin, meaning a win for Munich at the weekend would give it five points daylight in front of the chasing pack.
The signs are not good for Duisburg at the Olympic stadium to prevent Munich motoring ahead in its bid for its 16th Bundesliga title.
Munich, the current champion, was set fair for a treble of European Cup, Bundesliga and Germany Cup last season before things went pear-shaped and the league title became the only silverware to enter the Bavarian club's sideboard.
Bayern's last defeat to Duisburg in Munich was way back on Dec. 9, 1967 when it was thumped 4-0 by the lowly club in the only match it won away all season.
Leverkusen fell behind at Schalke when its Belgian international Emile Mpenza scored in the 16th minute for his third goal in four matches.
Leverkusen however quickly pulled a goal back with its Brazilian-born German Paulo Rink in the 29th minute. As a footnote, Leverkusen's captain and sweeper Jens Nowotny, also a German international, was sent off in the 88th minute.