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Australia boosts security ahead of Asian Cup

The Asian Cup will be held in Canberra from Jan. 9-31.

By JC Finley
Officials are reviewing security measures ahead of the Asian Cup. CC/Joeyjeremiah kkf
Officials are reviewing security measures ahead of the Asian Cup. CC/Joeyjeremiah kkf

SYDNEY, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The Asian Football Confederation has requested a review of security preparations ahead of next month's Asian Cup in the aftermath of a deadly siege in Sydney on Monday.

"We have asked [the Australian local organizing committee] to provide extra security in team and AFC hotels as well as police escorts for all official activities including training and matches in additional to [an] increase in security across all venues," AFC general secretary Dato Alex Soosay said.

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The Asian Cup will be held in Canberra from Jan. 9-31, marking the first time Australia has hosted the soccer tournament.

"We're doing everything we can to make sure it's on line," Asian Cup head Michael Brown said of the game's security preparations. "We don't talk about these things publicly but we have contingency plans in place to ensure we have a responsible and flexible overlay should things happen."

The AFC sought reassurances about the tournament's security after a self-proclaimed Iranian cleric with a criminal record stormed the Lindt Cafe Monday morning, leading to the deaths of two employees held hostage.

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"I would like to assure the teams, fans and the media that ALOC will do whatever necessary to provide the best security cover around the competition and everyone will enjoy the best-ever AFC Asian Cup," Soosay added.

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