September 26 – The Lebanese FA has indefinitely postponed all matches domestically in the wake of Israel’s attacks in southern Lebanon and rising fears of an all-out war.
Lebanese authorities say more than 558 people have been killed and almost 2,000 wounded, with tens of thousands fleeing to safety.
“Due to the current situation in the country, the executive committee of the Lebanese Football Association has decided to postpone matches of all tournaments to a date to be determined later,” the LFA said.
The announcement came four days after the opening day of the Lebanese Premier League – the country’s premier domestic men’s football competition. Match day two of the 2024-2025 season was scheduled to take place September 27-29.
The country’s national team has not played on home soil since last year, hosting the home legs of World Cup qualifiers in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Their next two friendly matches, against India (October 12) and Vietnam (October 15) are slated to be held in Vietnam.
Domestic football in Palestine also remains suspended during Israel’s continuing war in Gaza.
The Palestine Professional League’s last game was played on October 6, while the men’s national team continues to play its international fixtures abroad. Palestine last hosted a home game in the occupied West Bank in 2019.
According to the Palestine Football Association, at least 410 athletes, sports officials or coaches have been killed in the war in Gaza. Of these, 297 were footballers, including 84 children.
FIFA Council’s ruling on Palestine’s request for Israel to be suspended from international football, is expected at the end of November. Independent legal counsel has now submitted its review of the complaint.
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