Asian Cup boss Michael Brown is adamant the safety of players, fans and officials attending next month's tournament is the utmost priority, but admitted the Martin Place tragedy "makes you rethink and revisit" to ensure everything is put in place.
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The Asian Football Confederation issued a news release on Tuesday night stating it has expressed "serious concerns" over safety and security following the cafe siege, and AFC general secretary Dato Alex Soosay has asked the Australian local organising committee (ALOC) to increase security measures.
Canberra will host six preliminary matches plus a quarter final, and three cricket World Cup games will also be staged at Manuka Oval.
"We have asked ALOC to provide extra security in team and AFC hotels as well as police escorts for all official activities including training and matches in addition to [an] increase in security across all venues," Soosay said.
"AFC has no doubt that ALOC together with its government will fulfil AFC's request."
Brown said they have been working on stringent security measures with governments and agencies for three years and will continue to do so until the tournament kick-off.
"We don't talk about these things publicly but we have contingency plans in place to ensure we have a responsible and flexible overlay should things happen," Brown said.
"We all know the world has changed since 9/11 and the events of this week were diabolical. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.
"We're all shattered by it but it makes you rethink and revisit. You're never 100 per cent sure because the world has changed. We're doing everything we can to make sure it's on line.
"Regardless of what happens, we're flexible and will continue to work with those authorities, up to and including the tournament."
A cricket World Cup spokesman also reaffirmed the safety of participants and fans.
"The safety of everyone at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 – whether players or officials or VIPs or spectators – is our top priority," the spokesman said.
"We have been working with the authorities in Australia and New Zealand for more than two years on these matters and will continue to do so."
Brown urged Canberrans to make a statement that they deserve more high-profile sports events by turning out to watch games in their droves.
"Canberra people have to come out and support international events if they want more of them," Brown said.
"You can't say 'nothing comes to Canberra', but not turn up.
"If Canberra people turn up to this event, it's a really powerful message to all sports."
