FIFA rules Yemen unsafe for Olympic qualifier

FIFA rules Yemen unsafe for Olympic qualifier

Published Feb. 25, 2011 3:30 p.m. ET

FIFA has postponed Yemen's home qualifying match for the 2012 Olympics against Singapore for a second time because of pro-democracy protests in the capital.

FIFA says both legs of the first round must be played on neutral territory to ensure that matches proceed ''in a totally safe and secure environment.''

Yemen was scheduled to host Singapore on Feb. 16 in Sanaa, where protesters have been demanding the removal of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. FIFA delayed the match for one week.

FIFA says it will work with the Asian Football Confederation to find a neutral host city and new match dates.

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