November 17 – UEFA has relocated the upcoming UEFA Europa League and Europa Conference League matches featuring Israeli sides Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv to Belgrade, Serbia.
UEFA ruled immediately the Israel-Hamas began that it wasn’t safe for the Israelis to host European fixtures in Israel, stipulating Israeli national team and European competition club matches had to be played in neutral venues and behind closed doors.
Since mid-October a variety of different countries have hosted Israeli teams, with the latest fixtures to be concentrated into one venue. UEFA said the neutral venue will allow the clubs to focus on the game while minimising potential risks associated with the complex security situation in the region.
Maccabi Haifa had its UEFA Europa League clash with Villarreal shifted to a venue in Cyprus earlier this month. The latest relocations cover UEFA Europa League matchday 5 (Maccabi Haifa FC ) and UEFA Europa Conference League matchdays 3 and 6 group stage matches involving Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.
UEFA Europa League matchday 5
Maccabi Haifa FC vs Stade Rennais FC, at Stadion Rajko Mitić in Belgrade, Serbia, on Thursday 30 November
UEFA Europa Conference League matchdays 3 and 6
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC vs FC Zorya Luhansk, at TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia, on Saturday 25 November
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC vs KAA Gent, at TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia, on Thursday 14 December
Maccabi Haifa will hope to earn their first win of the season in Europa League Group F against Rennais later this month, as the Israeli side sit bottom of the group. They have played one less match than third-placed Panathinaikos after a match between Haifa and Villarreal was postponed earlier this month.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, however, sits second in their Conference League group after winning two of the opening three games. Similarly, Tel Aviv had a match postponed earlier this month, giving the team one game in hand over group-leader Gent, who sit four points clear at the top.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734852721labto1734852721ofdlr1734852721owedi1734852721sni@g1734852721niwe.1734852721yrrah1734852721