Soccer: Security worries cloud Liverpool's Israel trip

LONDON - Former European soccer champions Liverpool were drawn to play Maccabi Haifa of Israel in the third qualifying round of the Champions League today, raising immediate security concerns for the English club.

The security situation in Israel resulting from the conflict in Lebanon has prompted UEFA to write to the Israeli FA asking for added safety assurances for clubs due to play there.

The match will definitely not take place in Haifa, which is close to the conflict zone, but may go ahead in Tel Aviv or be moved to a neutral country.

The first leg is set for Anfield on August 8 or 9 with Haifa at home in the second on either August 22 or 23.

Haifa president Jacob Schachar told Sky Sports News that he understood Liverpool's concerns, but added: "There are many Liverpool fans in Israel and I hope the match can go ahead.

"We would love the match to be in Haifa but it could go ahead in Tel Aviv which is quiet."

UEFA spokesman Rob Faulkner said the situation was being closely monitored and a decision would be taken nearer the time.

Asked about security in Israel with regard to the match, US State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters in Washington there were no plans for an Olympics-style "truce".

"Sports certainly can bring people together and we certainly would rather see people playing soccer than shooting at one another or shooting missiles off at one another," he said.

"While the United States is working toward a ceasefire agreement in the region, it does not plan any kind of separate call for a "truce" around the time of the match as generally happens during the Olympics," added Casey.

International soccer returned to Israel in April 2004 after a 25-month suspension due to a worsening security situation in the country. Matches can only be played in the Tel Aviv area.

Between March 2002 and April 2004 Israeli teams had to host opponents at a number of European venues including Cyprus, Turkey, Italy and Bulgaria.

AC Milan, another former winner in the qualifying round, will face either Cork City of Ireland or former champions Red Star Belgrade if UEFA decides next week that Milan can compete in the competition.

The Italians are more likely to play Red Star who hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Ireland, but Milan's place has not yet been verified by UEFA because of their involvement in the Serie A match-fixing scandal.

Arsenal, beaten in last season's final by Barcelona, are likely to face Dynamo Zagreb of Croatia who have a 4-1 first-leg led over Ekranas of Lithuania in their tie.

The second qualifying round will be completed next week.

The 16 winners of the third qualifying round ties will advance to the group stage of the competition where they will join the 16 automatic qualifiers.

The group stage begins on September 12/13 with the final in Athens on May 23 next year.

- REUTERS