FIFA security officer for TT’s final match

FIFA made the appointment because the match holds great significance as the outcome would possibly determine the fourth place finisher in CONCACAF region to go through to the play-offs with Asia for a World Cup Finals spot.

FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner specifically mentioned yesterday as well, the extreme importance in ensuring that all security measures are in place for the event.

Sabir will arrive in Trinidad and Tobago on October 3 for a site inspection the following day and will depart on October 5 after making his recommendations.

"He will then return on October 12 to ensure that all FIFA’s recommendations for safety and security are complied with," Warner said.

Sabir also gave an outline of the requirements for the match on October 12 for which 24,000 tickets will be on sale at $200 (covered stands) and $100 (uncovered)

"It is imperative that the following personnel review these guidelines ahead of my visit and come to the meeting prepared to outline what will be in place for the match. Please advise all concerned that FIFA has taken a decision that requires our utmost assurance that the highest safety and security standards are deployed for this match," Sabir stated

Among the guidelines stated by FIFA are Police— Roads leading to and around the stadium (traffic control); Cordon around the stadium (crowd control, required number of officers); Stadium Security — Gate management (ticket control); VIP Entrance; Internal Security (crowd control and Venue management); Communication Officer — Venue announcements in case of emergency situations, etc; First Aid Personnel— Available to spectators and players (in case of emergency)

Event co-ordinator Peter O’Connor stressed that all will be done to ensure that the event is a well- managed one.

"Nothing will be taken for granted and the public and most importantly the teams should be made to feel safe on October 12. We have had good working relationships with the various services as the Police, Fire and Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and we expect no less, especially for this occasion," O’Connor said.

The match will play on the same day that Guatemala (eight points), also vying for the fourth place, will be meeting Costa Rica in Guatemala City. Before that, TT (seven points) will take on Panama in Panama City on October 8 while Guatemala will travel to Mexico on the same day.

Meanwhile, the teams battling for the CONCACAF fourth spot will meet either Bahrain or Uzbekistan which are currently locked in battle for the Asian fifth spot.

The play-off between Uzbekistan and Bahrain is to be replayed next month.

Then the winner will then travel to CONCACAF to meet the fourth place team from this region on November 12 before the return leg in Asia four days later.