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Fifa fears Egypt ground 'tragedy'
By Martin Davies
BBC Sport, Cairo
Sunday, 29 January 2006
Fifa has concerns over safety at Egypt's next game
Fifa's security adviser in Egypt has warned that a "tragedy" could happen if stadium safety is not improved.

Walter Gagg was speaking after chaotic scenes inside the Cairo International Stadium as host nation Egypt played the Ivory Coast on Saturday.

"We do not want a tragedy but here there is a risk that something could happen," Gagg told BBC Sport.

"There will be a full house at Egypt's next game, so it's absolutely necessary there are changes ahead of the match."

Gagg added that he was speaking for many senior Confederation of African Football (Caf) officials when he outlined the need for an improvement in stadium safety.

"We would all like change," he said. "Myself, the President and Secretary General of Caf and the local organising committee."

There were too many people inside the ground

Fifa's safety advisor Walter Gagg

Gagg revealed that a committee met on Sunday to discuss plans designed to ensure that safety requirements are met at Egypt's quarter-final on Friday, 3 February.

He was particularly concerned by several aspects concerning safety that he witnessed on Saturday.

"At the game there were people sitting on the stairs," he added.

"All the stairs were occupied by people and on the walls on the upper rings, thousands and thousands of spectators were sitting on the walls because there were too many people inside the ground."

The Pharaohs finished top of Group A and will play their quarter-final tie at the 75,000 Cairo International Stadium against as yet unknown opposition.

Had Egypt finished second they would have played their last-eight tie at the Cairo Military Academy Stadium, which has a capacity of only 24,000.

And Gagg admitted that he was relieved the Pharaohs would play their next match at the larger ground, saying: "Yes, this is a better stadium for Egypt's next game."

But he ruled out any form of fine for the host nation, stating: "We don't think with sanctions we can help, we believe in educating."