UEFA shaky on Israeli bid to host 2020 soccer games

Evaluating bids for European Championship, Euro-soccer’s ruling body cites ‘complex’ political situation, insufficient information on Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium

By AP and ToI Staff 10 September 2014, 10:54 pm

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UEFA President Michel Platini speaks during the opening session of UEFA's Respect and Diversity conference against discrimination in European soccer in Rome on September 10, 2014. (photo credit: Riccardo De Luca/AP)

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) raised concerns Wednesday about Israel’s capacity to host matches for the 2020 European Championship because of political instability.

UEFA will choose 13 host cities across Europe for the tournament at a September 19 meeting of its executive committee. It must decide on whether to pick Jerusalem among the hosts.

In its evaluation report of the bids published Wednesday, UEFA said that the political situation in Israel is “complex.”

A UEFA ruling in July stopped Israel from playing international matches in the country during the conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza. Russia, which is bidding to hold the championship in St. Petersburg, also had its security situation called into question; the host of the 2018 World Cup has been widely criticized for its involvement in the Ukraine crisis.

“The Israeli political situation is described in the bid as complex, an assessment confirmed by independent institutions,” UEFA said. “It is acknowledged that considerable investments would be required for such a project to be implemented, without, however, any further details being provided.”

Twelve winning bidders will each host three group-stage matches and a single knockout match from the last-16 or quarterfinals rounds. England and Germany have submitted bids for the prestige package of semifinals and final.

While praising the overall quality and security standards of the new stadium planned in St. Petersburg, UEFA also said it did not receive sufficient information regarding the budget and the renovation work at the 32,000-capacity Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.

“Regarding safety and security, the stadium has not provided any relevant certificates or evacuation plan,” the report added.

Israel hosted UEFA’s European Under-21 championship in June 2013 in four stadiums across the country. The tournament, which were largely regarded as a success, was won by Spain, defeating Italy 4-2.