Since the details of the East Asian Football Championship 2003 Final Competition were released on Wednesday, 19 March, the outbreak of SARS, seen notably in the Guangdong Province of China PR and Hong Kong-China, has affected various sports events.

The East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) discussed this issue with all parties concerned and reached a decision to organise the championship as scheduled. The circumstances leading up to our decision and our future action plan are summarised below.

How the Decision Was Reached

Outcome of Discussions with Member Associations of EAFF On Wednesday, 16 April, representatives of seven of the nine EAFF member associations met in Seoul, Korea, to discuss whether or not to proceed with our plans to hold the above mentioned championship. Consequently, it was confirmed as follows: Since the Japanese government has not set any restrictions on people entering Japan from China PR, Hong Kong-China, and Korea Rep., there are no obstacles in accepting the three team delegations from those areas. Furthermore, the member associations gave their assent to the condition that each participating member association, including Japan, would assume full responsibility for the health care of the players and officials. Therefore, all agreed to have the competition take place as scheduled.

Future Actions and Measures to be Taken by EAFF

Submission of a Medical Certificate In accordance with the competition regulations, a complete list of the 25 registered players of each participating team shall be submitted to EAFF by Tuesday, 13 May, 15 days prior to the opening of the competition. The participating member associations shall be responsible for submitting to EAFF a medical certificate for each registered player, official and team staff, ensuring that two weeks prior to their arrival in Japan their state of health is good.

Measures to be Taken in Cooperation with the Host Association, Japan Football Association (JFA)

1. With the JFA Sports Medical Committee as the driving force, EAFF and other concerned parties will exchange views and produce a health care guideline.

2. In collaboration with the authorities, all possible measures will be taken to ensure safe and clean sanitary conditions at the hotels, the training sites, and the stadium throughout the duration of each team's stay in Japan.

3. A Medical Liaison Officer shall be appointed and will meet once a day with the team doctors to receive the most updated information.


In addition to the three measures above, EAFF will take all possible measures to deal with the matter.

It should be noted that in China PR and Hong Kong-China, domestic league matches and various domestic football events are being held as scheduled, and the reports we have received to date clearly indicate that none of the players or officials have contracted SARS. The safety and health of the teams and parties concerned are matters of highest priority to EAFF, and we shall be fully prepared to welcome the championship. We would appreciate the media's understanding of our intentions and the circumstances leading up to our decision to hold the competition as scheduled, and we hope we can gain your cooperation and support.

Shun-ichiro Okano
President
East Asian Football Federation