Sport• 29 September 2002

Israel wanted to play Malta in London

English football club rejects Israeli request

The Israeli national team wanted to play Malta at White Hart Lane. Israeli officials had asked Tottenham about playing home games at the Spurs' stadium at White Hart Lane. However, the club's director of football, David Pleat, said no international fixtures are planned for the stadium.

The decision is a blow to Israel, which could have expected a strong show of support from the Jewish community living near Hotspur's stadium. The Israeli federation wanted to play Malta, France, Slovenia, Cyprus and Luxembourg at the English stadium but the English football club Tottenham Hotspur has turned down Israel's request to play its 2004 European championship qualifying matches at the London club's home field.

The European Football Union has banned Israel from playing international matches on its home soil because of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Israeli national team begins its European qualifying campaign October 16 against Cyprus. The Israelis have also approached Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine about playing "home" matches.

With the deadline for fixture arrangements fast approaching, it was Israeli official Joe Dagan who contacted Spurs in the hope of staging their matches in Nnorth London.

Tottenham's director of football David Pleat would not elaborate on the reasons for their decision.

However, even if Tottenham had been happy to host Israel's home fixtures there may have been difficulties in getting the English FA to sanction such an arrangement.

It is a blow for the Israelis who could have expected great support at Tottenham, with upwards of 50,000 Jewish residents in North London.