Sporting events in Saudi Arabia are being disrupted after attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. With scheduled competitions being canceled or postponed one after another, the Asian Football Confederation's Asian Cup, set for January next year, may also be delayed.
The Korea Professional Footballers' Association said on the 15th that continued military tension and security instability in the Middle East cannot be taken lightly, and that it has serious concerns about the safety of all players taking part in the Asian Cup, including the South Korean national team.
On Oct. 10, a missile attack believed to have been carried out by the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels struck King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, killing 13 people and injuring about 300. On the 11th, an unidentified projectile hit an airport terminal, causing further casualties.
"No competition's value can take precedence over the lives and safety of players and football fans," association president Lee Keun-ho said. "If safety cannot be sufficiently guaranteed, every option must be carefully reviewed, including whether to hold the tournament at all."
The AFC is also weighing a one-year postponement or a change of venue, saying it cannot currently guarantee the safety of players from participating countries. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said the same day that the tournament could be delayed by a year if necessary. He added, however, that there is no reason to rush a decision and that everything is proceeding as planned for now, saying the situation could change and that it is worth waiting until the end of November.
Other sporting events have also been pushed back over safety concerns in Saudi Arabia. The Six Kings Slam, a tennis event that was to feature six of the world's top male players competing for multimillion-dollar prize money, has been postponed. Saudi Arabia's domestic football league and the AFC Champions League have also faced disruptions.