UEFA has today written to the Israel FA asking for written assurances, from both the FA and the relevant public authorities involved, guaranteeing safety and security around UEFA matches to be played in the Tel Aviv area.

On 21 April 2004, the UEFA Executive Committee approved the lifting of a ban on home matches in Israel for all UEFA competitions. The ban was lifted on condition that matches be played only in the Tel Aviv area, that security guarantees were provided for every match, that the Israel FA and its clubs confirmed this in writing and that UEFA held the right to impose a ban on any match or matches in Israel, should the security situation deteriorate.

Due to the increasing nature of the conflict involving Israel and Lebanon, UEFA has also asked the Israeli FA to submit to UEFA a back-up plan in case a further deterioration of the security situation requires that European matches are played outside the country, and to submit the written guarantees of any potential host association and the public authorities involved, as soon as possible.