Post by Salem6 on Apr 22, 2004 7:49:59 GMT
The European Football Union (UEFA) has lifted a two-and-a-half-year ban against playing matches in Israel because it is satisfied with security measures in the Middle Eastern nation.
UEFA said in a statement Wednesday that the ban was removed. UEFA had imposed the ban in 2002 after violence erupted in Israel. The Israeli national team and club teams had to play home matches at neutral venues in Europe, in places such as Sicily and Cyprus.
The European governing body said that it also took the International Football Federation's position into account. FIFA said the Israeli national team could play its 2006 World Cup qualifying matches in Israel starting in September.
Last July, Israel had formally lobbied UEFA to remove the ban. Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom had brought letters of support from eight European governments, including Germany and Spain.
Earlier this month, a UEFA delegation recommended lifting the ban after inspecting Israeli facilities and reviewing security arrangements. Matches have to be played in the Tel Aviv area and security guarantees have to be provided for every match.
The first international match in Israel will have the Israeli women's team taking on Estonia on May 8.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=8FDD5A88-61F3-42C5-B87F0E7FEF5E4E0B
UEFA said in a statement Wednesday that the ban was removed. UEFA had imposed the ban in 2002 after violence erupted in Israel. The Israeli national team and club teams had to play home matches at neutral venues in Europe, in places such as Sicily and Cyprus.
The European governing body said that it also took the International Football Federation's position into account. FIFA said the Israeli national team could play its 2006 World Cup qualifying matches in Israel starting in September.
Last July, Israel had formally lobbied UEFA to remove the ban. Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom had brought letters of support from eight European governments, including Germany and Spain.
Earlier this month, a UEFA delegation recommended lifting the ban after inspecting Israeli facilities and reviewing security arrangements. Matches have to be played in the Tel Aviv area and security guarantees have to be provided for every match.
The first international match in Israel will have the Israeli women's team taking on Estonia on May 8.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=8FDD5A88-61F3-42C5-B87F0E7FEF5E4E0B