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Javno.hr, Croatia
June 23 2007
UEFA Cancel Armenia v Azerbaijan Euro Qualifiers
Two Euro 2008 Group A matches between Armenia and Azerbaijan have
been cancelled.
Reuters
Two Euro 2008 Group A matches between Armenia and Azerbaijan have
been cancelled, with both countries losing the six qualifying points
available, European soccer's governing body UEFA said on Saturday.
The neighbouring countries have been involved in a long-running
dispute over land. Armenia wanted the games played on a normal home
and away basis but Azerbaijan refused to host the Armenians and
proposed a neutral ground for both matches.
"As no suitable compromise could be found between the two
associations it was decided to cancel the two matches, namely
Azerbaijan-Armenia scheduled for Sept. 8 and Armenia-Azerbaijan
scheduled for Sept. 12," UEFA said in a statement following a meeting
of its executive committee in the Netherlands.
"It was decided to award both associations zero points for the
matches."
Ukraine, Switzerland, Austria and Spain had been mentioned as
possible neutral venues for the games but this was not agreeable to
either side.
Azerbaijan are bottom of the group with five points from eight
matches, while Armenia have seven points from seven outings. Poland
lead the group with 19 points from nine games.
Portugal, Serbia, Finland, Belgium and Kazakhstan make up the rest of
the group.
SUSPENSION LIFTED
UEFA also decided at its meeting in the Dutch town of Heerenveen to
lift the ban on Israeli clubs hosting opponents in European
competition outside the Tel Aviv area.
"The executive reviewed the security situation in Israel and agreed
to allow matches to be played not only in the Tel Aviv area but also
in internationally recognised stadiums outside the region, namely
Haifa, Jerusalem and Ashdod," UEFA said.
UEFA imposed a ban on Israel hosting matches in 2004, following a
deterioration of the security situation, which lasted two years
before being partially lifted.
The latest relaxation will allow Beitar Jerusalem to play their
Champions League qualifying round opponents in Jerusalem while
Maccabi Haifa can host Intertoto Cup matches at their home ground in
the northern port city.
Israel's national team will be little affected by the lifting of the
ban since they play all official matches at the National Stadium in
Tel Aviv with only the occasional friendly taking place away from the
centre of the country.
June 23 2007
UEFA Cancel Armenia v Azerbaijan Euro Qualifiers
Two Euro 2008 Group A matches between Armenia and Azerbaijan have
been cancelled.
Reuters
Two Euro 2008 Group A matches between Armenia and Azerbaijan have
been cancelled, with both countries losing the six qualifying points
available, European soccer's governing body UEFA said on Saturday.
The neighbouring countries have been involved in a long-running
dispute over land. Armenia wanted the games played on a normal home
and away basis but Azerbaijan refused to host the Armenians and
proposed a neutral ground for both matches.
"As no suitable compromise could be found between the two
associations it was decided to cancel the two matches, namely
Azerbaijan-Armenia scheduled for Sept. 8 and Armenia-Azerbaijan
scheduled for Sept. 12," UEFA said in a statement following a meeting
of its executive committee in the Netherlands.
"It was decided to award both associations zero points for the
matches."
Ukraine, Switzerland, Austria and Spain had been mentioned as
possible neutral venues for the games but this was not agreeable to
either side.
Azerbaijan are bottom of the group with five points from eight
matches, while Armenia have seven points from seven outings. Poland
lead the group with 19 points from nine games.
Portugal, Serbia, Finland, Belgium and Kazakhstan make up the rest of
the group.
SUSPENSION LIFTED
UEFA also decided at its meeting in the Dutch town of Heerenveen to
lift the ban on Israeli clubs hosting opponents in European
competition outside the Tel Aviv area.
"The executive reviewed the security situation in Israel and agreed
to allow matches to be played not only in the Tel Aviv area but also
in internationally recognised stadiums outside the region, namely
Haifa, Jerusalem and Ashdod," UEFA said.
UEFA imposed a ban on Israel hosting matches in 2004, following a
deterioration of the security situation, which lasted two years
before being partially lifted.
The latest relaxation will allow Beitar Jerusalem to play their
Champions League qualifying round opponents in Jerusalem while
Maccabi Haifa can host Intertoto Cup matches at their home ground in
the northern port city.
Israel's national team will be little affected by the lifting of the
ban since they play all official matches at the National Stadium in
Tel Aviv with only the occasional friendly taking place away from the
centre of the country.