FIFA president Sepp Blatter
FIFA says assigning a security official “is a standard procedure” for risky matches.
Iran hosts the match in Tehran on Oct. 11 following months of protests in Bahrain by a Shiite majority claiming it faces discrimination from the kingdom’s Sunni monarchy.
Bahrain has expressed concerns that Iran’s Shiite political leadership is encouraging the protests.
Some Bahraini national team players were among 150 athletes and sports officials detained for allegedly demonstrating.
Iran and Bahrain share the lead in their qualifying group with four points from two games. The group includes Qatar and Indonesia.
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