Uefa switches Liverpool's Champions League qualifier to Ukraine. Continued rocket attacks on Haifa have prompted Uefa's decision.


UEFA today confirmed that the second leg of Liverpool's Champions League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa would be played in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. However the Israeli Football Association is furious at the news - and is writing to Uefa to insist the match be played in Haifa.


Uefa had previously stated that the second leg would be played on a neutral ground because of the ongoing war in the Middle East. That response seemed prudent, especially as Haifa, Israel's third-largest city, has been one of Hizbullah's major targets since the fighting started on July 12. Yesterday more than 15 rockets hit the city, seriously wounding two people.


But since this morning, there has been a ceasefire - and sources at the Israeli FA believe that there is no reason why Liverpool cannot travel to Haifa for the second leg.

However a Uefa spokesman insisted that the Israeli FA's appeal would fall on deaf ears.

"No European competition matches are permitted to be staged in Israel in light of the ongoing troubles in and around the country," he said. "I'm sure the second leg will be played in Kiev."

Liverpool lead the third qualifying round tie 2-1 after a late winner from Mark Gonzalez in the first leg. The second leg is schduled for August 23rd, four days after Liverpool's premiership opener against Sheffield United.


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