UEFA reaffirms Israeli advice

UEFA has advised that European competition matches should still not be played in Israel for the time being.

Monthly review
European football's governing body has also announced that it will review the security situation in Israel on a monthly basis. The decision follows a meeting at UEFA's headquarters between UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner and Israel Football Association president Gavriel Levi.

Visiting consent
However, UEFA has also said that it will not exclude the possibility of matches taking place in Israel with the visiting team's consent, and if the visitors accept the staging of the match in Israel as their own responsibility.

'Helpful and constructive'
In a statement, Mr Aigner described the talks as "helpful and constructive". He added: "Having examined all of the available evidence on the current security situation and the continued threat of suicide attacks, UEFA must continue to advise that European games are not played in Israel for the time being.

Close monitoring
"However, we have agreed that we will closely monitor the situation and review our position on a monthly basis," the UEFA CEO said. "In addition, UEFA has agreed not to exclude the possibility of a match being played in Israel if the visiting team wishes to do so and accepts this as their own responsibility."

Good dialogue
Mr Levi described the talks with UEFA as "a good dialogue". "I appreciate the difficulties UEFA face here and I am happy that Mr Aigner has shown an open mind in agreeing to a monthly review and the notion that a team can play under its own responsibility."

Costs issue
He added: "We have also agreed that I will write formally to the Chief Executive on the issue of costs to Israeli teams and possible compensation being made available. I believe this will be given serious consideration."

Forthcoming matches
Forthcoming matches involving teams from Israel include the UEFA Intertoto Cup first round second-leg match between FC Ashdod and FC Brno. This match will be played in Dunajska Streda in the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Haifa game

UEFA Cup duo
Two Israeli clubs are competing in the UEFA Cup qualifying round. Hapoel Tel-Aviv’s home match against KS Partizani of Albania is scheduled for 15 August and Maccabi Tel-Aviv are programmed to entertain Estonia’s FC Levadia Tallinn on 29 August.