This year's FIFA World Cup soccer tournament opens the doors toa number of risks ranging from terrorism to injury for fans andplayers alike, according to an analysis released by insurancebrokerage firm Aon.

Also touched on in the report are risks for tournament sponsors,uneven insurance coverage for players and terrorism risk outsidethe stadiums.

The Federation Internationale de Football Association World CupGermany 2006 is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of fansduring the four-week event, beginning June 9. Thirty-two teams fromsix continents are prepared to compete in 12 stadiums acrossGermany.

Aon, in its report titled "1st XI Risks World Cup '06," said thetournament can raise a number of risks which promoters,entrepreneurs and participants should take into account and preparefor.

Dennis Mahoney, chairman and chief executive officer of AonUnited Kingdom, said in a statement concerning the World Cup:"Risks multiply in scenarios like this where so much is at stake.Intricate planning and preparation, started years in advance, willhelp to minimize the chances of disruption at the tournament."

He added that businesses need to "think creatively about howthey manage employees during the tournament to maintainproductivity and morale."

Among some of the risks noted by Aon in its report:

o While some football associations have insurance cover forthose individuals playing for their country, many associationscan't afford it, leaving an injured player's club to pick up thebill should the worst happen.

o Soft, peripheral targets such as hotels and transport networksmay face more risk of terrorist attacks than stadium venues, whichwill be protected by some of the tightest security measures everdevised.

o Firms with employees who want to attend the World Cup gamescan avoid reduced productivity and absenteeism from the workplaceby arranging special flexible working time, unpaid leave or shiftswaps to resolve the issue, Aon advises.

o Businesses supporting the tournament can face a host of riskswhen sponsoring players, and in a passion-fueled tournament likethe World Cup events on and off the field could occur which mightlead to embarrassment by association.

o Event cancellation or interruption Aon believes is most likelyto be caused by traditional risks like flood, fire or power failurerather than such threats as pandemic influenza or terroristattack.

Aon said electronic copies of the report are available bycontacting Sally Taylor at [email protected].