by flipmode » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:37 pm
Uefa have reassured Liverpool that players, fans and officials will not be put at any risk as they face the prospect of a trip to Israel to face Maccabi Haifa in a UEFA Champions League qualifier.
Liverpool face the less than enviable prospect of visiting Maccabi, with a home first leg on August 8 or 9, followed by a return in Israel two weeks later.
Uefa official Rob Faulkner has moved to allay any fears the competition winners of 2005 may currently hold, with a back-up plan of playing the second leg in Cyprus already in place.
''We'll be in discussions with both of the clubs but obviously key is the safety of players, fans and officials,'' he told Sky Sports News.
''We wouldn't take those decisions without 100 percent assurances and that's the information we are asking for at the moment.
''We've played matches away from Israel quite successfully in the past and that is the plan B, the action plan.
''It's something we can't answer for the moment obviously. Once Maccabi were in the draw we were aware of the situation and we monitor these things very closely.
''We've asked the Israel FA and the relevant authorities to provide us with assurances and we have to keep monitoring that and we've asked them to give us those as soon as possible.
''At the moment as it stands any matches that take place in Israel are played in the south - in the Tel Aviv area - but we're waiting for more information from the Israel FA before we can make any more decisions.''
While Uefa are considering the option of playing the game away from Israel, Maccabi president Jacob Shachar is optimistic the game will go ahead in his homeland.
"Tel Aviv is quiet - let's hope things will stay quiet and we will be able to host Liverpool,'' he told Sky Sports News.
"It's an unpleasant situation although we understand Liverpool's concerns.
"We lost the chance to play Liverpool years ago when we were suspended - and I am glad we can play this game.
"Liverpool have many supporters in Israel and one of their former players, Ronnie Rosenthal, played for Maccabi Haifa."
Liverpool secretary Bryce Morrison admits that the Premiership club would prefer to move the game away from Israel altogether, also of the opinion that Cyprus is not a suitable alternative.
"We have concerns over this situation - obviously it's not the safest place in the world to travel to.
"From the information given we'll be making more investigations - but it's very early days yet.
"I don't think Cyprus is an option at the moment due to the number of people from Lebanon who are there at the moment.
"We'd prefer it to be played at a neutral ground somewhere else."