Israel’s declaration of war and the subsequent attacks by Palestinian militants have had a significant impact on various aspects of life in the country, including football. The Israeli Premier League has been heavily affected, with all weekend games being postponed due to security concerns. Cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, which are home to four top-flight teams, have experienced rocket attacks, making it unsafe to hold matches.
Foreign players and staff were given the option to leave Israel, and Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Robbie Keane and his assistant Rory Delap took this opportunity to depart via Greece. The Israel Premier League has also decided to postpone matches scheduled for the weekend of October 21-22 following the international break. The chairman of the Israel Football League administration, Erez Kalfon, stated that the inability to train as groups has made it impossible to resume matches at this time.
The shock of the situation was felt by many, including Michael Valkanis, the Australian head coach of Hapoel Tel Aviv. He expressed his hope that the crisis would end soon and that people could resume their daily lives. Tragically, retired striker Lior Assoulin, who had played for Hapoel Tel Aviv, was reported to be among those killed at the Supernova festival.
The impact of the conflict has also extended to UEFA. The European governing body decided to postpone several fixtures scheduled to be played in Israel over the next two weeks. This includes the crucial Euro 2024 qualifier between Israel and Switzerland, which was supposed to take place in Tel Aviv. Israel’s under-21s qualifiers against Estonia and Germany were also called off, along with an under-17s tournament involving Belgium, Gibraltar, and Wales.
UEFA stated that all matches scheduled in Israel would be postponed due to the current security situation. They are yet to make a decision on the proposed qualifier between Kosovo and Israel, which is scheduled to be played in Pristina. UEFA will closely monitor the situation and remain in contact with all teams involved to make decisions on new dates and potential changes to other upcoming fixtures.
UEFA now faces the challenge of deciding how to proceed with the two Israeli clubs still in European competitions this season. Maccabi Haifa, last season’s Israeli title winners, are competing in the Europa League, while Maccabi Tel Aviv has made it to the Conference League groups. Both clubs are scheduled to have their next fixtures on October 26, and UEFA will need to determine whether these matches can proceed as planned or if alternative arrangements need to be made.
The long-term implications for Israeli football remain uncertain. UEFA’s Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday will likely shed some light on the situation. While the approval of a joint bid by the UK and Ireland to host Euro 2028 and the re-admission of Russian under-17s teams to UEFA competitions were initially on the agenda, the immediate issues surrounding Israeli football will also be discussed.
The European Championship qualifier between Kosovo and Israel has not yet been decided, but with the game against Switzerland already postponed, there may be logistical challenges in concluding Group I. The November international break was supposed to be the last point for qualifiers, with a play-off in March to determine the final three participants of Euro 2024. Israel, currently third in Group I, may have to play four qualifiers next month if they are to fulfill their fixtures.
The Israeli Premier League faces a period of uncertainty as long as security risks persist. Fixtures scheduled for the weekend of October 28-29 have not yet been postponed, but the feasibility of holding football matches in a country at war is questionable. The Israeli Professional Football Leagues expressed their support for the security forces and the country’s residents during these difficult times.
In conclusion, the ongoing conflict in Israel has had a significant impact on football in the country. The Israeli Premier League has seen games postponed, foreign players and staff have been allowed to leave, and UEFA has postponed various fixtures. The long-term implications for Israeli football remain uncertain, and decisions will need to be made regarding upcoming matches and competitions. The priority now is the safety and security of all individuals involved in the sport during this challenging time.