UEFA lifts ban on Israel hosting matches

Israel will be able to host Bosnia-Herzegovina in their next European 2016 home qualifier after UEFA lifted a ban on them being allowed to stage football matches in the country.

European football’s governing body has banned Israel from hosting football matches since July due to the security situation in the country. However, secretary general Gianni Infantino said on Thursday: “This ban has been lifted due to the improved situation in Israel.”

Their first home qualifying game against Belgium, which was scheduled to be played earlier this month

Israel was barred in July from staging any European competition matches, at either national team or club level, due to the security situation in the country.

A Euro 2016 qualifier, at home against Belgium, due to be staged earlier this month, was postponed to March, while Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Beersheba and Ironi Kiryat Shmona all suffered early European club football exits, as they were forced to play their home matches in Cyprus.

Former Israel Football Association chairman and current UEFA Executive Committee member Avi Luzon said: “I promised that the matches would return to Israel and I’m happy that it happened.

“The fans will now be able to support the national team in Euro 2016 qualifying and show how important and necessary it is to play our home matches in Israel.”

Israel will host the Bosnians on 16 November at Haifa’s new Sammy Ofer Stadium.