Despite unrest, FIFA adamant over under-17 World Cup

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LAGOS, June 16, 2009 (AFP) - World football governing body FIFA will next month make a final inspection of facilities to be used for the FIFA U-17 World Cup scheduled to be staged in Nigeria, a federation official said Tuesday.

"FIFA will undertake a final inspection visit on the sites where there is a need, by the end of July 2009," said the FIFA official in a statement to AFP.

"Prior to that, FIFA's administration will review all the host cities and stadiums in early July," said the official.

She reiterated the federation's position on a warning issued to FIFA on Monday by militants in southern Niger Delta against letting the country host the under-17 World Cup tournament.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) urged FIFA to have a re-think about Nigeria hosting the football fiesta, saying that the "safety of international players and visitors cannot be guaranteed due to the current unrest".

The tournament is due to run from October 24 to November 15, and Nigeria has scheduled some matches to be played in the restive region.

"FIFA received the full commitment from the Nigerian government, as well as additional guarantees requested by FIFA specific to security and medical related issues, which were signed by President Umaru Yar'Adua," the official added.

Last Saturday, a FIFA delegation comprising secretary general Jerome Valcke, vice president and chairman of the FIFA U17 World Cup Organising Committee, Jack Warner and FIFA vice president who is also CAF president, Issa Hayatou, met the Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, on the hosting of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.