Asian Cup: Sydney siege heightens security concerns on eve of big tournament

ASIAN football chiefs have expressed serious concerns over safety at next month’s Asian Cup in Australia following the Sydney siege.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - JUNE 20: Dato' Alex Soosay, General Secretary of the Asian Football Confederation, speaks during the 2013 AFC Cup Quarter Finals Knock-out Stage Draw at the AFC House on June 20, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

ASIAN football chiefs have expressed serious concerns over safety at next month’s Asian Cup in Australia following the Sydney siege and have asked for increased security measures for teams, media and fans.

“We have asked (organisers) to provide extra security in team and AFC hotels as well as police escorts for all official activities including training and matches in addition to (an) increase in security across all venues,” AFC General-Secretary Alex Soosay said.

“Australia has successfully hosted many prestigious events in the past but the recent developments cannot be taken lightly.”

Mourners gather near the siege that took place at the Lindt Cafe.

The statement followed the storming by police commandos of the Lindt Chocolat Cafe where an Iranian-born gunman had seized a number of hostages and held them in a 16-hour standoff.

The gunman and two hostages were killed, while six others were wounded.

The Asian Cup - the region’s international-side championship - will be staged in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne from January 9 to 31.

“Thousands of media and fans will be travelling to Australia for the competition, apart from 16 teams, and their security is our utmost priority,” Soosay said.

Originally published as Asian Cup: Sydney siege heightens security concerns on eve of big tournament