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UEFA lifts ban on games in Israel

UEFA will allow Israeli soccer clubs to play European matches in Israel again, lifting a ban put in place during the country's monthlong conflict with the Lebanese militia group Hezbollah.

European soccer's governing body said on Friday that matches could be played only around Tel Aviv and required security guarantees. It added that the ban could be re-imposed at any time if the security deteriorates.

The decision takes effect immediately, with the Sept. 28 UEFA Cup meeting between Chornomorets Odessa and Hapoel Tel Aviv the first match affected.

"Going back to normality is of course an advantage for everyone," UEFA spokesman William Gaillard told reporters.

"We asked our security and stadium people to review the decision and ... they decided the games can resume in the Tel Aviv area under certain conditions. This decision could be revoked if we have reason to believe that security can be jeopardized," he said.

Israel's first national team match will be its under-21 fixture with France on Oct. 11.

Israel was required to announce a venue later on Friday.

Moshe Sinai, the national team's assistant coach, said the players would get a boost from playing in front of a home crowd again.

"Nothing makes me happier than returning home," local media quoted him as saying. "This piece of news gives all of us a lot of motivation, as here is our most comfortable place to play."

The ban on playing European games in Israel was imposed on Aug. 7 due to the conflict, during which rockets were fired into northern Israel.

It applied to international and club matches, meaning that Israel was compelled to play last week's match against Andorra in the Netherlands.

Maccabi Haifa's home match in Champions League qualifying was moved to the Ukraine capital Kiev because Haifa had been heavily bombed by Hezbollah guerrillas.

Liverpool drew 1-1 with Maccabi in Kiev, dumping the Israeli side out of the tournament 3-2 on aggregate.

Other clubs affected were Bnei Yehuda and Beitar Jerusalem, who were forced to host UEFA Cup matches in Sofia, Bulgaria, and Hapoel Tel Aviv -- which played in Tilburg, the Netherlands.
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