Ireland may have to travel to the Middle East for their World Cup qualifier against Israel after UEFA announced today that the ban on home matches for the country has been lifted. The UEFA Executive Committee, meeting in Limassol, Cyprus, confirmed the end of the suspension, which will take effect immediately, despite continued unrest in the region.
However, UEFA have decided that matches can only be played in the city of Tel Aviv and also stated that it might re-impose a ban on any match in Israel at any given time if, in its opinion, the security situation should deteriorate.
Israel last staged a competitive match on home soil against Austria in November 2001.
Commenting on the matter today, FAI Chief Executive Fran Rooney said that he was delighted that the Israeli Football Association could play their home matches in Israel once again. Mr Rooney was speaking following his meeting with Israeli FA officials at the UEFA Congress in Cyprus. Rooney added that the FAI would work closely with FIFA in regard to Ireland's World Cup fixture against the Israelis in March 2005.
Filed by Ciaran Cronin
