REDS GET 'DIFFICULT' EURO TIE
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Maccabi Haifa: Our Euro draw |
Do you ever get the feeling UEFA like making it difficult for Liverpool?
If last years 6 games to qualify for the tournament which Liverpool were the holders of) wasn't bad enough this time Liverpool have drawn Maccabi Haifa, the team from the town currently suffering rocket attacks from Lebanon.
Liverpool are due to play the 2nd leg of the 3rd Champions League qualifer in the Israeli warzone.
Rafa Benitez has labelled the plans ridiculous and Liverpool are to make representation to UEFA.
Rafa said shortly after today's draw:
'It's a crazy situation and totally unacceptable to even think about us going over there at this time,' Rafa told the official site.
'A few years back when I was with Valencia we were drawn to play Maccabi Haifa in a UEFA Cup tie and the match was switched to Cyprus. The situation then was nowhere near as bad as it is now.
'Valencia also had a European game in the Ukraine on the day the twin towers were attacked in America and I can remember the confusion that caused with the players on their mobile phones constantly to their families who were wondering when we'd be getting back. It's impossible to prepare for a game in these circumstances.
'There is no way we should be going to Israel to play a game of football at this time. It's crazy to even consider it. UEFA cannot put anyone at risk. The situation is very clear in my mind. I feel sad for the people over there at the moment because it's a terrible time for them, but we have to put the security and safety of everyone involved before anything else and that means we cannot travel there. It would be impossible to concentrate on the game.
'UEFA need to make a decision quickly because there will be lots of our supporters wanting to know what is happening.'
Champions League third qualifying round draw:
Sheriff Tiraspol/Spartak Moscow v Liberec
Shakhtar Donetsk v FH Hafnarfjordur/Legia Warsaw
FC Zurich/SV Red Bull Salzburg v Valencia
Levski Sofia/Sioni Bolnisi v Chievo
Hearts/Siroki Brijeg v AEK Athens
CSKA Moscow v Djurgardens IF/SCP Ruzomberok
AC Milan v Cork/Crvena Zvezda
Galatasaray v Mlada Boleslav/Valerenga
Standard Liege v HIT Gorica/Steaua Bucuresti
Austria Magna v Benfica
FK Ekranas/Dinamo Zagreb v Arsenal
FC Copenhagen/MyPa v Ajax
Hamburg v Osasuna
FK Metalurgs/Dynamo Kiev v Fenerbahce/B36 Torshavn
Liverpool v Maccabi Haifa
Lille v Debrecen/Rabotnicki Kometal
First legs to be played on 8/9 August; second legs 22/23 August.
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It is utterly ridiculous to espect them to go over and play there. They could be killed over there. Why is that team still in the draw? They are so not going.
Clare, Colwyn Bay
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Dont be afrid come to israel. Tthe match will be played in the center region of israel-ramt gan witch is very near to tel aviv. The life in this area is completly normal and there are no bombings at all. The rokets has no ability to arrive that far so please dont let terror to win again.
Adam, Israel
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I can tell you that it's totally safe to come to Israel, Liverpool will certainly not be a target, and there are no reasons for the terror orgnization that attacks us to do it.
So far there were not ANY missiles that fell even close to where you are going to play. All the missiles fell in the north far from these football stadiums. In these areas, life continue totally as general and no one is afraid. It's not any risk of your team and fans to travel to Israel, and the Israelien security system is very proffesional, there is absoultly no chance that anything will happen to the team and players.
There are many nice girls in Israel, and some different and tasty foods, it will be very nice to see other cultures and visit in holy sites in Israel and I invite you all to come and see the game! Hopefully in Israel! The exprience for each one of the sides will be great!
A citizen of Haifa, Israel
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