What safety concerns led Bahrain to seek a neutral venue?

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Bahrain's National Football Team Seeks Neutral Venue Due to Safety Concerns Following Online Threats

Bahrain's national football team has refused to play their scheduled World Cup qualifying match in Indonesia, citing safety concerns stemming from online death threats directed at their players by Indonesian fans. These threats emerged after a controversial 2-2 draw between the two nations, where Bahrain secured a late equalizer. The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) has consequently requested that Fifa relocate the upcoming fixture to a neutral venue outside of Indonesia to ensure player safety.
Online Death Threats Against Players

The primary safety concern arises from explicit death threats received by Bahraini players on social media platforms. These threats surfaced in the aftermath of a recent match where Bahrain scored a 99th-minute equalizer against Indonesia. The BFA has strongly condemned these threats, describing them as a "disregard for human lives" and highlighting the severe implications for their athletes' well-being.
Controversial Match Circumstances

The controversy that fueled the threats originated from the referee's decision to add nine minutes of stoppage time during the drawn match. This extended period allowed Bahrain to score their late equalizer, leading to accusations from the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) that the referee deliberately prolonged the game to favour Bahrain. PSSI executive Arya Sinulingga was quoted as saying it "seemed like they extended the added time just to allow Bahrain to score an equaliser."
Social Media Abuse and Response

Following the match, Indonesian fans directed significant abuse towards both the Bahraini team and the referee across social media channels. In response to the online vitriol and threats, the BFA took the step of disabling comments on its own social media posts to mitigate further harassment. The association's request to Fifa underscores the gravity of the situation and the perceived inadequacy of safety measures within Indonesia for the upcoming game.

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What safety concerns led Bahrain to seek a neutral venue?

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