ZURICH (AP) — Ghana wants a neutral venue for next month’s crucial World Cup playoff against Egypt, saying it’s too dangerous to play the game in Cairo.

In a letter to FIFA published on its website, the Ghana Football Association said the match should be moved to a “safe and secure” venue.

“Our request is premised on the alarming and fast deteriorating security situation in Egypt,” Ghana officials wrote.

At least 51 people were killed in riots in Cairo last weekend linked to the ousting of elected state president Mohammed Morsi.

The GFA said some of its players expressed “grave concern over their safety for the match.”

“Much as we sympathise with our brothers at the Egyptian Football Association, we are highly concerned about the security and safety of our players, officials and supporters and would like FIFA to take the necessary steps to protect lives and from both Ghana and Egypt during the second-leg game,” the letter stated.

Egypt is scheduled to host Ghana in Cairo on November 19 in the second leg to decide which country advances to next year’s tournament in Brazil. The first leg is October 15 in Kumasi.

The GFA notes that Egyptian authorities have barred spectators from football matches for the past two years, including World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Guinea.

The Egyptian team is coached by American Bob Bradley. Its World Cup qualifying campaign has been buffeted by the political turmoil in the country.

The playoff draw last month paired Egypt with the powerful Ghana team, which reached the quarterfinals at the 2010 World Cup when it beat Bradley’s US team in the round of 16.

Now, FIFA could be forced by security risks to deny Egypt and its fans the chance to see the match on home ground.

“Events in the country pointedly indicate that our delegation could be exposed to danger as the violence and insecurity in the country continues relentlessly,” the Ghana letter said.