Israel has been banned by soccer’s European governing body from hosting international games until further notice due to the war with Hizbullah terrorists in the north.
UEFA, stated in a letter sent to the Israel Football Association on Monday that all games scheduled for play on Israeli soil “shall be played outside of Israeli territory.”
European soccer teams are unwilling to travel to the Jewish state due to security concerns. “The IFA and its clubs shall be responsible for providing alternative venues in their function as host FA or host club according to the regulations of the competition concern,” wrote UEFA Secretary General Lars-Christer Olsson.
The ruling means that Israeli teams will not be allowed to host soccer matches at home, but will still be held responsible for finding alternative sites for their games.
At least two Israeli teams are affected by the decision. Maccabi Haifa will be forced to find a new location for an August 22nd match against Liverpool. The first game of the series, to be held on Wednesday, is to be hosted by the British team. Liverpool coach Rafa Benitze said it was “totally unacceptable” to travel to Israel for the second game.
Betar Jerusalem is also affected by the ruling. The club is scheduled to play Romania’s Dinamo Bucharest on August 24 in a match that was to be held in Jerusalem.
“The UEFA administration shall continue to monitor the safety and security situation in Israel,” said the letter. “This decision is final.”
UEFA, stated in a letter sent to the Israel Football Association on Monday that all games scheduled for play on Israeli soil “shall be played outside of Israeli territory.”
European soccer teams are unwilling to travel to the Jewish state due to security concerns. “The IFA and its clubs shall be responsible for providing alternative venues in their function as host FA or host club according to the regulations of the competition concern,” wrote UEFA Secretary General Lars-Christer Olsson.
The ruling means that Israeli teams will not be allowed to host soccer matches at home, but will still be held responsible for finding alternative sites for their games.
At least two Israeli teams are affected by the decision. Maccabi Haifa will be forced to find a new location for an August 22nd match against Liverpool. The first game of the series, to be held on Wednesday, is to be hosted by the British team. Liverpool coach Rafa Benitze said it was “totally unacceptable” to travel to Israel for the second game.
Betar Jerusalem is also affected by the ruling. The club is scheduled to play Romania’s Dinamo Bucharest on August 24 in a match that was to be held in Jerusalem.
“The UEFA administration shall continue to monitor the safety and security situation in Israel,” said the letter. “This decision is final.”