No UEFA competition matches to be played in Israel ‘until further notice’

The Union of European Football Association has announced today that no more UEFA competition matches are to played in Israel until further notice.

Israel’s national teams and club sides Maccabi Haifa, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, who are both competing in Europa league, must find alternative venues outside the country to fulfil their UEFA fixtures.

The announcement comes amid the escalating Israel-Palestine conflict, which was sparked earlier this month by an attack on Israeli citizens by Hamas militants at the Supernova music festival near the Gaza strip on October 7th.

A UEFA statement read: “After a thorough evaluation of the current safety and security situation in the whole territory of Israel, the UEFA Executive Committee decided that no UEFA competition matches shall be played in Israel until further notice".

The announcement also said that the Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium vs Sweden would not be rescheduled after a fatal shooting of two Swedish fans on Monday night.

Latest updates from #UEFAExCo on competitions:

Belgium-Sweden #EURO2024 qualifier abandoned with 1-1 score confirmed as final.

No UEFA competition match to be played in Israel until further notice.

Maccabi Haifa withdraw from #UYL.

Full details: ⬇️

— UEFA (@UEFA) October 19, 2023

The Euro 2024 qualifier was called off at half time with a 1-1 score. Both teams will receive one point in the Group F standings and any suspension is considered served and single yellow cards remain valid.

The Football Association of Ireland shared the condolences with the victims of the Brussels shooting on X:

The FAI wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the Swedish fans, players and officials following tonight’s horrific incidents in Brussels.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 16, 2023

In a statement released on the UEFA website the football association said: 'The Israel Football Association and its clubs Maccabi Haifa FC and Maccabi Tel-Aviv have been requested to propose alternative venues/stadiums, outside the territory of Israel for their home matches".

Israel’s national team were due to stage Euro 2024 qualifiers against Switzerland and Romania – the two teams above them in Group I – in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem respectively next month, while Maccabi Haifa are playing in the Europa League and Maccabi Tel Aviv are in the Europa Conference League.

Earlier on this week, the Football Association said it will review whether to continue lighting the Wembley arch as an act of tribute following criticism over its response to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham accepted the “hurt” caused to the Jewish community by the FA’s decision not to light the arch in the colours of the Israeli flag for last Friday’s England friendly against Australia.

Speaking on what he described as "one of the most complex geopolitical conflicts on Earth”, Bullingham said: "I recognise that our decision caused hurt to the Jewish community who felt that we should have lit the arch, and that we should have shown stronger support for them".

He said the decision came about after a long board meeting on the Wednesday before the match, involving rounds of debate. He noted that Australia were due to play upcoming matches against Palestine and Lebanon so the "desire for neutrality was incredibly strong".

At the Australian-England match last Friday, a minute of silence was held and all teammates wore black armbands.

Concluding his defence of the decision not to light the Wembley Arch Bullingham stated, "We all felt then, and we all feel now, that football should stand for peace and humanity and the wish to show compassion for all innocent victims of this terrible conflict.