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... Organisers looking to move game to Ghana after police cite security concerns for London venueSean Williams
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
The proposed friendly international football match between Jamaica's Reggae Boyz and Ghana's 'Black Stars' scheduled for London on Sunday, up to last evening, appears in doubt.
Website reports have claimed that the organisers are having difficulty finding a venue after British Metropolitan Police "were apprehensive in policing" the Match Room Stadium on Brisbane Road, the home of Leyton Orient where the game is being advised to be played.
Leyton Orient "withdrew their permission" to stage the game after the police cited security concerns, with regard to rowdy crowd behaviour and even instances of match invasions involving African teams in the past.
Efforts, it is said, were made by the organisers to get other London clubs to possibly host the match, but were turned down because of the very fears Leyton Orient administrators have.
Attempts were made yesterday to contact Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Crenston Boxhill, and general secretary, Burchell Gibson ,for comment, but neither could be reached by telephone.
However, marketing manager of the JFF, Janice Rose-Brown, said the federation was aware that the organisers were having problems pinning down a venue in London for the game.
"They have genuine concerns with venue, but efforts are being made to get the game to Accra, Ghana, on the 17th of October," she said.
Website reports have also stated that the Ghana Football Association (GFA), "has agreed in principle to host Jamaica" at the El-Wak stadium in Accra, the Ghana capital.
If this game comes off, it would be the first for the 'Black Stars' at home "since playing in the World Cup qualifiers in 2005".
A check on the GFA official website yesterday had no posting of any planned relocation of the game from London to Accra, instead a colourful display poster advertising the match-up is what will greet 'hitters'.
In a match between Jamaica and Ghana last year, the Boyz were routed 1-4 at Walkers Stadium in Leicester, England, just ahead of the latter's first trip to the World Cup Finals in Germany.
The Africans were eventually knocked out 0-3 to Brazil in the second round.
Ghana first played the Boyz at the Accra Sports Stadium in 1999 where the hosts won 2-1.
source:Observer
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
The proposed friendly international football match between Jamaica's Reggae Boyz and Ghana's 'Black Stars' scheduled for London on Sunday, up to last evening, appears in doubt.
Website reports have claimed that the organisers are having difficulty finding a venue after British Metropolitan Police "were apprehensive in policing" the Match Room Stadium on Brisbane Road, the home of Leyton Orient where the game is being advised to be played.
Leyton Orient "withdrew their permission" to stage the game after the police cited security concerns, with regard to rowdy crowd behaviour and even instances of match invasions involving African teams in the past.
Efforts, it is said, were made by the organisers to get other London clubs to possibly host the match, but were turned down because of the very fears Leyton Orient administrators have.
Attempts were made yesterday to contact Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Crenston Boxhill, and general secretary, Burchell Gibson ,for comment, but neither could be reached by telephone.
However, marketing manager of the JFF, Janice Rose-Brown, said the federation was aware that the organisers were having problems pinning down a venue in London for the game.
"They have genuine concerns with venue, but efforts are being made to get the game to Accra, Ghana, on the 17th of October," she said.
Website reports have also stated that the Ghana Football Association (GFA), "has agreed in principle to host Jamaica" at the El-Wak stadium in Accra, the Ghana capital.
If this game comes off, it would be the first for the 'Black Stars' at home "since playing in the World Cup qualifiers in 2005".
A check on the GFA official website yesterday had no posting of any planned relocation of the game from London to Accra, instead a colourful display poster advertising the match-up is what will greet 'hitters'.
In a match between Jamaica and Ghana last year, the Boyz were routed 1-4 at Walkers Stadium in Leicester, England, just ahead of the latter's first trip to the World Cup Finals in Germany.
The Africans were eventually knocked out 0-3 to Brazil in the second round.
Ghana first played the Boyz at the Accra Sports Stadium in 1999 where the hosts won 2-1.
source:Observer