Liverpool to play Maccabi Haifa at Neutral Venue

[IanTheRed]

More soon, just on BBC's news flash.

Could be Ukraine, Dynamo Kiev claim to have spoken to the Israeli's...

[Nic83]

More soon, just on BBC's news flash.

Could be Ukraine, Dynamo Kiev claim to have spoken to the Israeli's...

I've heard strong rumours about Ukraine aswell.

[IanTheRed]

I've heard strong rumours about Ukraine aswell.

Uefa has confirmed that Liverpool will play their Champions League third round qualifier away leg against Israeli side Maccabi Haifa at a neutral venue.
Uefa has switched the match because of Israel's conflict with Lebanon.

European football's governing body has already said Israel cannot host Uefa Cup second qualifying round games.

The game, which will take place on 22 or 23 August, could be played at Dynamo Kiev's stadium in Ukraine after the club's president gave permission.

Igor Surkis told The Times last week: "I was approached by people from the Israeli club and also Israel's ambassador in Ukraine, who asked if it was possible to play the game in Ukraine.

"I gave my provisional consent and said that security during the match would be guaranteed.

"The Ukrainian football federation have already been informed about our initial agreement as any final decision over the staging of the game must be taken by them and Uefa."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has said it is "totally unacceptable" to go to Israel, given the current security situation.

Uefa's decision to move Uefa Cup games will affect Hapoel Tel Aviv's home tie against NK Domzale of Slovenia on 8 August - now to be played in Holland.

And Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv's home match with Bulgaria's Lokomotiv Sofia on 10 August will be held in Slovakia.

The Israeli FA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but that was rejected.

Meanwhile, Uefa has confirmed that this week's two Uefa Cup second qualifying round first-leg games involving Israeli clubs have been rearranged for neutral venues.

Hapoel Tel-Aviv will play their home tie against NK Domzale of Slovenia in the Dutch city of Tilburg, while the match between Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv FC and PFC Lokomotiv Sofia will now be played in Senec, Slovakia.

Both games take place on Thursday.

Beitar Jerusalem's Uefa Cup second qualifying round clash on 24 August with Dinamo Bucharest may be affected.

International football returned to Israel in April 2004 after a 25-month ban because of the worsening security situation in the country.

Matches can only be played in the Tel Aviv area.

Between March 2002 and April 2004 Israeli clubs and teams were forced to play host to their opponents at a number of European venues, including Cyprus, Turkey, Italy and Bulgaria

[Mumsafan]

How about Cardiff?

[IanTheRed]

How about Cardiff?

Thats hardly neutral, may as well say Melwood!

[Mumsafan]

It is technically neutral. It's in another country ffs! I say we stick it out til they agree on Cardiff

[Bob]

It is technically neutral. It's in another country ffs! I say we stick it out til they agree on Cardiff

To be fair mums - it is our second home.

[Mumsafan]

Yes but these foreign types won't realise that

[carlinfella]

There seems to be a huge amount of arsing about by UEFA in regard to this game. It should have been moved to a different venue and confimed last week, it was obvious from the moment the draw was made that playing a tie in Israel was a non starter. We could do with less hassle in the build up to the second leg,mind you hopefully we have a lead already established.

[Jan-Erik]

The second leg should be played in Oslo

[Mumsafan]

To save Norwegian fellas having to "walk" to Anfield?


Walking in this instance means walk to airport, get on plane, fly to JLA, walk/ get joe from JLA to Walton Breck

[Jan-Erik]

To save Norwegian fellas having to "walk" to Anfield?


Walking in this instance means walk to airport, get on plane, fly to JLA, walk/ get joe from JLA to Walton Breck

Would be easyer to just take the bus to the game

[Mumsafan]

Well yes

[Jan-Erik]

Will never happen though

[Mumsafan]

Move then