The Australia national soccer team's upcoming World Cup qualifier with Bangladesh is still hanging in the balance as FIFA is yet to budge on their original refusal to move the match to a neutral venue amid security concerns.
The Socceroos expect to have guidance from FIFA within 48 hours regarding the qualifier in Bangladesh next month, reports the Daily Telegraph Australia.
Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop said: “We treat safety of coaching staff and players with utmost seriousness. We are in dialogue with FIFA, AFC, and the Bangladesh football federation.
“We understand the matter has been elevated to the highest level of FIFA’s security department and we are seeking some answers from them in the next couple of days.”
He said: “At the moment the Australian government say that Bangladesh is an area where Australians should exercise extreme caution. It is not regarded as the level above that, which is a do-not-go status.
“Having said that, we will make a decision about this when we have all the information and we expect to get more information from FIFA in the next 48 hours.”
The murders two foreign nationals have raised concerns about whether Dhaka would be a safe destination for the Socceroos to play on November 17.
The CEO also hinted that the team would travel if directed to do so by FIFA.
