Israel's scheduled soccer friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina has been canceled by UEFA due to the current security situation. The match was set to take place in Sarajevo next week, following both teams' elimination from the European Championship qualifying playoffs.
Israel, having lost to Iceland 4-1 in a 'home' game played in Budapest due to security concerns amid the conflict with Hamas, was looking forward to the Bosnia fixture. However, UEFA's decision to cancel the match was based on the security risks involved.
The game's cancellation was part of the UEFA-organized match schedule for national teams, which is tied to a centralized broadcasting contract that member federations must adhere to. Both the Bosnian and Israeli soccer federations mutually agreed not to proceed with the match, considering the security situation and their elimination from Euro 2024 contention.
It is worth noting that despite the cancellation of this friendly, there are no restrictions on Bosnian and Israeli national or club teams being drawn against each other in UEFA competitions. However, UEFA does step in during draws to prevent Bosnian teams from being paired with teams from Kosovo for political and security reasons.
This decision highlights the importance of prioritizing safety and security in international sporting events, especially in regions experiencing conflict or instability. Both teams will now focus on regrouping and preparing for future competitions as they navigate the challenges posed by the current circumstances.
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