DHAKA: Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) were unmoved by FFA's request to switch November 17 duel in Dhaka to the UAE, amid security concerns after bomb attack last weekend which killed a 16-year-old boy and wounded scores of others.
Last month an Italian aid worker was gunned down in the diplomatic zone, while a Japanese citizen was also murdered days later.
But despite rising tensions, the world governing body decreed on Saturday morning that Dhaka is a safe venue for the Socceroos to venture to, reports theworldgame.sbs.com.au.
The ruling, confirmed by a spokesperson to The World Game, leaves Australia little choice but to fulfil the fixture – or face the prospect of losing touch with Group B leaders Jordan.
That, in turn, would leave Australia battling to be one of the four best-placed runners-up seeking a route into the second phase of qualifying for Russia 2018.
FIFA insist there is an adequate security plan in place to deal with any potential threats to the well-being of Australia’s travelling party.
“At the request of FIFA, the Bangladesh Football Federation has provided the match security plan as well as the corresponding security guarantees ahead of the match,” explained the spokesperson.
“In addition, FIFA has appointed a security officer for the match.
“The 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Bangladesh and Australia is scheduled to be played on November 17, 2015 in Dhaka.”
It’s the outcome FFA least wanted and all payers and staff will be given the option to pull out, should they, or their families, feels the risks are too great.
However, with so much at stake in terms of the qualification ramifications, it's unlikely any would take up that option, and will instead rely on the Bangladesh authorities, FIFA and Australia’s own security personnel to provide adequate protection.
FFA boss David Gallop said on Wednesday that a change of venue was Australia’s preference while he continued a running dialogue with FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the Bangladesh Football Federation and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat).
“At the moment the Australia government says that Bangladesh is an area where Australians should exercise extreme caution. It’s not regarded as the level above that, which is the ‘Do not go’ status,” he said.
“Having said that we will make a decision about this when we’ve got all the information, and we expect to get more information from FIFA in the next 48 hours.”
Australia's cricket team cancelled a two-Test cricket tour of Bangladesh earlier this month due to safety issues.
The Socceroos are four points adrift of group leaders Jordan - who have played a game more - with nine points from four games and can ill afford to drop any more points.
Ange Postecoglou's men first face Kyrgyzstan in Canberra on 12 November, having defeated them 2-1 in Bishkek in June.
BDST: 1118 HRS, OCT 31, 2015
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