FIFA expert says Egypt riot stadium is safe venue

FIFA expert says Egypt riot stadium is safe venue

Published Feb. 2, 2012 4:26 p.m. ET

An international football stadium expert has praised the Egyptian venue where at least 74 people were killed in a riot Wednesday, and suggests the violence was planned.

Walter Gagg tells The Associated Press that the Port Said stadium is ''a good one'' and ''absolutely not'' a danger for spectators.

Gagg, a FIFA official and Confederation of African Football adviser, previously inspected the Port Said stadium that has hosted matches at the 2006 African Cup of Nations and the Under-20 World Cup in 2009.

Gagg suggests ''there was premeditation for what happened'' Wednesday, adding that football authorities ''can't avoid a problem'' if violence is organized around a match.

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