games for fear of violence erupting.
FIFA said such an assignment is standard when there is “high risk” of violence.
Bahrain has been rocked on-and-off for much of this year by protests led by the Shiite majority against the Sunni ruling family.
Many Bah-raini Sunnis assert that the Islamic Republic is behind the disorder on the tiny island. Many Iranians claim Bahrain is properly a province of Iran.
Some of the Shias on the Bahraini national soccer team are reportedly among those arrested for demonstrating against the regime.
Iran and Bahrain currently lead their group in the Asian qualifying round of the World Cup with four points each. The first game between the two will be played October 11 in Tehran. The return match in Bahrain will be played November 11. FIFA did not distinguish which game it was most concerned about.