The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will not reschedule any of its matches or competitions in the face of the outbreak of war in Iraq, the body's top official said yesterday.
AFC Secretary-General Peter Velappan said the region's ruling football body would ensure maximum security and safety for all participating teams and players.
"But there is no security risk as far as the matches and venues are concerned at the moment. We are, however, monitoring the situation closely," the AFC supremo said in a statement.
"Should a security risk arise at any of the venues, we shall do what is necessary to reschedule the matches or assign another venue," he added.
The qualifying matches of the 2004 Asian Cup, to be held in China, are in progress, while the qualifying matches for the 2004 Athens Olympics would kick off in early April.
The Olympic qualifying matches will be played all over Asia and in the Middle East,he said.
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