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4 held for plot to bomb Albania-Israel soccer match this weekend
World Cup 2018 qualifying game, set to take place in Shkoder, is relocated due to security fears
Stuart Winer is a breaking news editor at The Times of Israel.
Four people were arrested in Albania on suspicion of plotting to place bombs at a soccer match between the Israeli and Albanian national teams, scheduled for the weekend
The World Cup 2018 qualifying game, which was scheduled for Saturday night at a stadium in the city of Shkoder near the Albanian capital Tirana, is to be relocated amid concerns over terror threats to attack the game, local officials said Tuesday.
It will now be moved to a venue in the city of Elbasan, Haaretz reported.
The game could not be held in the capital because the main stadium there is undergoing renovations.
Albanian security forces said they could guarantee the security of the Israeli team in Shkoder, prompting the relocation.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli team held talks with their security detail and were given strict instructions restricting their movements during their trip.
The security team protecting the Israelis is reportedly three times the usual size for such events.
Israel won its previous qualifying game, with a 2-1 result against Liechtenstein in a match at the Kollek stadium in Jerusalem last month.
