August 7th Deadline For Israel Tie

UEFA have revealed that they will announce their decision whether or not to move Liverpool’s away leg of the Champions League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa on Monday week, August 7th. Israel were not allowed host UEFA Cup second qualifying round games and equal measure should be applied to the Champions League given the current situation against Lebanon, cease fire or not.

Should the match get moved it is likely that Nicosia will be the chosen venue for the game to be played out on either August 22nd or 23rd. Fans, staff, and media have been calling for a change to the game’s venue, with many astonished at UEFA’s initial lack of a response to move the game, Rafa Benitez already quoted as saying the situation is “totally unacceptable”.

In fairness, UEFA should have thought about this before the draw was made in light of the situation in the Middle East.

The Israeli FA however are determined to kick up a stink about the whole situation, feeling that they shouldn’t lose out as they face the prospect of any UEFA Cup games out of Tel Aviv being moved as well as losing the financial bonuses surround the arrival of Liverpool in Tel Aviv.

Bad form out of UEFA, I feel, since FIFA had already banned international games out of Israel for a two years back in 2002 and they know that the situation presents a massive security risk for all involved. Have to say that I would be extremely disappointed, if not shocked, if UEFA decide to leave the tie happen in Tel Aviv but only time will tell, and there’s still plenty of preseason and regular season action to concentrate on before then!

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