2014 W/Cup: Senegal Yet To Decide Play Off Venue

Senegal are still to decide
where to play their World Cup play-off second leg against Ivory Coast, failing to meet Fifa’s 20th September deadline.
The match cannot take place in Senegal’s national stadium as they are banned from playing there after riots when the sides met in October 2012.
Senegal Football Association president Augustin Senghor told Tidesports source: “We will play in Morocco or Guinea.
“We have meetings today and tomorrow and then we will decide.”
Africa’s final round of qualification for next year’s tournament in Brazil sees 10 teams involved in five two-legged ties to be played in October and November.
And football’s world governing body Fifa had requested for the African associations involved to submit by Friday the details of dates, venues and kick-off times for the games.
Senegal were banned from playing at Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium for one year after their fans rioted during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ivory Coast in Dakar, forcing the match to be abandoned with about 15 minutes to play.
Ivory Coast were 2-0 up at the time and the result eventually stood with the Elephants claiming a 6-2 aggregate victory.
Senghor believes “Fifa will understand that we need more time compared to the other associations to decide because of our stadium suspension”.
He added: “We do not have a stadium in Senegal with the facilities and capacity to play the qualifier against Ivory Coast.
“So it is sure we will play this match outside of Senegal.
“We played our last ‘home’ matches in Morocco and Guinea and it is important for us to play our final qualification match in an environment we know very well.
“We have time enough to decide – it is just for the second leg in November. We will take our time to make a good decision.”
Meanwhile, Senghor gave his backing to coach Alain Giresse over the Frenchman’s policy to select only players who are playing regular first-team football – a decision which has led to the omission of Chelsea striker Demba Ba.
“The selection of players is the domain of the coach and in our way of working we let him have the responsibility for his choices,” Senghor said.
“We have players who are more motivated and every player that wants to be selected knows that they have to work hard for their club in order to come back.
“It is up to every player to battle for his place in the national team.”