UEFA postpones match between Zorya and Maccabi: Ukrainians note war is not only in Israel
UEFA decided to postpone the match of the third round of the group stage of the Conference League Maccabi Tel Aviv – Ukraine’s Zoria. The Ukrainian club considers this "unacceptable", noting that there is a war in Ukraine.
Source: Suspilne Sport; UEFA, the official site of FC Zorya
Details: The Maccabi – Zoria match was scheduled in Tel Aviv on 26 October. The game was postponed to 25 November due to the war in Israel.
The Europa League match Villarreal – Maccabi Haifa has also been postponed from 26 October to 6 December.
UEFA has announced that matches under the organisation's auspices will not be held in Israel until further notice.
Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv must offer alternative options outside of Israel to host home matches in European competitions as long as this decision remains in force.
Thus, the postponed match of Zoria with Maccabi will be held outside of Israel. At the same time, the Luhansk team is scheduled to play an away game of the Ukrainian Premier League with Kolos on 25 November.
Maccabi suggested postponing the game against Zoria to November. Luhansk residents also opposed the postponement, offering to hold the match in Lublin, where they host opponents in the European Cup or play somewhere of the Israeli club's choice.
On the eve of the decision, Zoria published its official position stating that the club understands the situation due to the war. "However, despite everything, we must remind you that there has been a war on the territory of our country for almost 10 years. Our people, fans and team have been through a lot during this time. We had to leave our own homes, start life anew and continue to fight," the club said.
At the same time, the club stressed that despite the war in Ukraine, Zoria "never asked for a postponement of at least European Cup matches and plays football despite everything."
"Given the complicated logistics, not forgetting that Ukraine is also a country that continues the war and its struggle for independence, not wanting to neglect internal competitions (the Cup and the Championship of Ukraine), any postponement of matches is unacceptable for Zoria," the club stressed.
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