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UEFA lifts soccer game ban against Israel
A 2 1/2-year ban on international soccer games in Israel was lifted Wednesday because the sport's European governing body is satisfied with security arrangements.
The ban removal takes effect immediately, UEFA said from its Swiss headquarters. Israel's national women's team will host Estonia on May 8. UEFA's executive committee met in Cyprus this month and approved the recommendation of a delegation that inspected security in Israel. "This is a diplomatic, economical and sporting achievement which restores the normality to Israel," Israel Football Association chairman Itche Menahem said from Cyprus. Since October 2001, all of Israel's home games in FIFA and UEFA-sanctioned tournaments have been played outside the country — in Cyprus, Italy, Turkey and most recently in December in the Netherlands. Israel has played a handful of international exhibitions in Israel during that time. "It means they can have the advantage of a home game which is really played at home," UEFA spokesman William Gaillard told The Associated Press by phone from Cyprus. A UEFA delegation this month met with police and government officials about security. After observing the measures in place, and with the recent reduction of terrorism in Israel, the delegation proposed to allow games under specific conditions. Games must be played in the Tel Aviv area only, and security guarantees must be provided for every game. The Israeli soccer federation and its teams also must confirm in writing they will meet these terms before entering UEFA competitions. UEFA said it could reimpose the ban at any time if security deteriorates. The UEFA executive committee took into account FIFA's position. The ruling organization allowed the Israeli national team to play its World Cup qualifying games for 2006 in Israel, starting in September. "This is the right decision to make, and about time as well," said national
coach Avraham Grant, a strong critic of the UEFA ban. Israel lobbied UEFA in
July to end the ban. Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom brought letters of
support from eight European governments. |
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