Police in Cyprus say they are ready to accommodate the influx of Israeli football teams and fans following the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine.
On Thursday, UEFA confirmed that the due to the instability in the region, all football matches involving Israeli teams must be played outside of the country.
The Cyprus Football Association (CFA) has already announced that the first three games – featuring Israeli sides in the Champions League and Europa League qualifiers – will go ahead next week in Larnaca.
“We have been informed about the matches, we are in contact with CFA regarding the matter and we are ready to take any safety measures asked of us in order to guarantee the smooth running of the matches and the safety of the Israeli teams,” Police Spokesman Andreas Angelides told The Cyprus Daily yesterday.
Earlier yesterday, a statement by the CFA read, “Following a request by UEFA and the Israel Football Association and after consultation with the police, three football matches involving Israeli teams in European competitions scheduled for next week will take place in Cyprus. The decision to stage the games in Cyprus was deemed necessary due to the volatile situation in Israel.”
The first game will take place on Tuesday between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Santa Coloma of Andorra at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca. The kick-off for the Champions League qualifier has been set at 8.30pm.
On Thursday, two Europa League qualifiers will take place with Hapoel Tel Aviv facing Astana of Kazakhstan at 8.30pm also at the Antonis Papadopoulos while another Israeli side – Hapoel Beer-Sheva – will take on Split of Croatia at the GSZ Stadium (photo) in Larnaca.
On the same night, Omonia will play their return leg against Montenegro’s Buducnost at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia.
It is not the first time that Israeli sides have chosen Cyprus as an alternative venue to host their home matches.
Back in 2002, Maccabi Haifa played their Champions League group stage games in Cyprus while Hapoel Tel Aviv also played a UEFA Cup tie on the island a year later. Earlier this year, the Ukraine national team played a friendly against the US in Larnaca.
In all cases, the teams were forced to play in Cyprus due to conflicts in their own countries.
Cyprus Weekly
