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.