Liverpool seem certain to avoid having to play their Champions League qualifying tie against Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli war-zone. UEFA will not make a firm decision until Monday.


Although UEFA will not make a firm decision until Monday, last night they announced that all UEFA Cup second round first leg ties involving Israeli sides must be staged in a neutral country, with Cyprus the likely destination. A statement by UEFA read:

"UEFA has decided that UEFA Cup second qualifying round first-leg matches involving Israeli teams - to take place on or around 10 August - cannot be played in Israel and must be staged in a neutral country. European football's governing body has made the decision in view of the security situation in the region.”

Reds Manager Rafa Benitez had said that it would be “totally unacceptable” for his side to be made to play the tie in Tel-Aviv under the current circumstances.


However Israeli FA chairman Iche Menahem is outraged with UEFA's decision and has said that the IFA will challenge the ruling. In a statement Menahem said:

"I would like UEFA to take this decision while they are here in Israel and not from their offices in Switzerland.”

Source: EuroSport


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