Fifa decides Hong Kong will travel to volatile Maldives for key World Cup qualifier
There were fears the game would have to be relocated with the Maldives government declaring a state of national emergency
The Maldives Ministry of Defence has guaranteed Fifa the safety of our team as the state of emergency is declared only to cope with the demonstration in their country
Fifa informed the Hong Kong Football Association that the group C match will be held at the National Stadium in the capital city Male and will go ahead on November 12.
“The Maldives Ministry of Defence has guaranteed Fifa the safety of our team as the state of emergency is declared only to cope with the demonstration in their country this weekend,” said association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak. “As Fifa has endorsed the match, we now need to go or we will be fined and deducted points if not.
“The Maldives consulate in Hong Kong also informed us the situation is not threatening as Cathay Pacific still fly to the country.”
Leung did suggest switching the match to Hong Kong when Maldives declared a national state of emergency on Wednesday.