No UEFA games in Israel as Ukraine teams will not face Russian rivals

NYON, Switzerland / Agence France-Presse

Israeli clubs will not be able to host any European competition game, the UEFA said July 17. REUTERS Photo

European football’s governing body UEFA announced July 17 that no Champions League or Europa League matches could be played in Israel until further notice “for security reasons,” as it also said Ukrainian and Russian clubs will not face each other at its top annual organization.

“The UEFA Emergency Panel met on 16 July and decided that, due to the current security situation in Israel, no UEFA competition matches may be played in the country until further notice,” read a statement issued by UEFA.  

“Consequently, the Israeli clubs involved in forthcoming fixtures have been requested to propose alternative venues outside of Israel’s territory for their home legs in the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.”

The UEFA also said Ukrainian and Russian clubs will not be able to face each other in the Champions League, due to security fears.

UEFA said that its emergency panel had made the decision at the request of the football associations of both Ukraine and Russia, ahead of the July 18 draw for the third qualifying round of the tournament.