Top > Sport > 2006 > August > 2006-08-10

UEFA Gives Israel `No` as a Final Answer

It is no final. No international games will be played in Israel until the security situation in the country changes. UEFA announced that there will be no games played in Israel due to security reasons, and with all Israeli efforts to change the verdict failed, it`s official. "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 concerned," said the letter from UEFA.

Israel is currently under a military conflict with the Hezbollah terror organization working from within Southern Lebanon. The violence in the region is such that UEFA can`t allow games to be conducted in Israel`s territory. Although there are many parts of the country that are perfectly safe for playing, UEFA took a stand against the political situation in the area and vote no.

Israel`s Maccabi Haifa soccer club will have to find an alternative location for it`s home games as part of the second leg of the Champions League third qualifying-round o Aug 22 as the team plays Liverpool.