FAI seek guidance from FIFA over travel to Gulf for U-20 competition

THE FAI has asked soccer’s world governing body FIFA for guidance over its participation at the Under-20 World Championships in the United Arab Emirates later this month.

With war in the Middle East looking increasingly likely, doubts have been raised by western athletes about taking part in sporting events in the region.

Tiger Woods, Colin Montgomerie and Nick Faldo have all pulled out of this week’s Dubai Desert Classic, citing concerns for their safety, and there are question marks over whether both England and the USA will send their Under-20 teams a little further down the Gulf for the world youth championships which are set to start on March 27 and run until April 16.