The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced the postponement of all matches scheduled to take place in Israel over the next two weeks. This decision comes in response to the escalating tensions in the region, which have resulted in the loss of over 600 Israeli lives since Saturday, according to the government.
The Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, which was set to host Israel's Euro 2024 qualifier on Thursday, is among the affected venues. UEFA has assured that new dates for the postponed matches will be arranged, although no specific timeline has been provided yet.
European Championship qualifiers among games postponed
The matches officially announced postponed by UEFA include:
- Israel's Euro 2024 qualifier against Switzerland set to take place on 12th October,
- The country's Under-21 Euro qualifiers against Estonia and Germany,
- and the Under-17 Euros, a mini tournament involving Israel, Belgium, Gibraltar, and Wales.
UEFA has stated that it will assess the situation in the coming days to determine whether Israel's European Championship qualifier in Kosovo, scheduled for 15 October, can still take place. This decision will be crucial for sports fans and sports betting fans alike, as it will significantly impact the dynamics of the tournament.
In a statement, UEFA said:
"UEFA will continue to closely monitor the situation and will remain in contact with all teams involved before making decisions on new dates and on potential changes to other upcoming fixtures."
The current security situation also affects the Israeli Premier League champions, Maccabi Haifa, who are participating in the Europa League this season. They are due to visit Villarreal following the international break.
Their next home game in the competition is scheduled for 7 November against the Spanish side. However, given the current circumstances, it remains uncertain whether this match will proceed as planned.
The postponement of these matches underscores the impact of geopolitical tensions on sports. UEFA's decision prioritizes the safety of players, staff, and fans. As the situation evolves, sports fans and sports betting fans will be eagerly awaiting further updates from UEFA regarding the rescheduling of these matches.
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