Tel-Aviv tie moved to neutral venue

UEFA has decided to switch next week's UEFA Cup quarter-final first-leg match between Hapoel Tel-Aviv and Milan AC to a neutral venue in the light of recent tragic incidents.

'Not an easy decision'
The match remains scheduled for Thursday 14 March, but details of where the match will now be played have yet to be announced. Gerhard Aigner, UEFA Chief Executive, said: "This was not an easy decision but is, we believe, in the best interests of everyone concerned."

'Great concern'
"UEFA has been closely monitoring the situation in Israel over recent months," said Mr Aigner. "We have noted with great concern the increasing number of tragic incidents and the most recent escalation of violence, which has now reached Tel-Aviv."

Safety consideration
He added: "In light of this situation and in the interests of safety and security, UEFA has decided that no more European competition matches can be staged in Israel until further notice."

Gun attack
The move comes the day after two Tel-Aviv players, Yossi Abuksis and Assi Domb, found themselves very close by when a gunman opened fire killing three people in the city.

Second leg
The second leg of the tie is unaffected by this decision and will still be played at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium Thursday on 21 March.