Protests in Yemen prompt soccer postponement

ZURICH (AP) - Soccer’s ruling body has postponed Yemen’s home qualifying game for the 2012 Olympics against Singapore because of anti-government protests.

FIFA says it agreed with the Asian Football Confederation to delay Wednesday’s scheduled first-leg match by one week until March 2.

FIFA says the game could be switched to a neutral country if security “does not clearly improve in the next days.” FIFA says the game must be played in a “totally safe and secure environment.”

Protesters in Yemen are demanding the removal of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Riot police fired tear gas and shots in the air to disperse crowds on what organizers called a “Friday of Rage” across the country.