LONDON (AP) — The Europa League match between Turkey’s Besiktas and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv, scheduled for Nov. 28, has been moved to a a neutral venue in Hungary, UEFA announced on Monday.
The match, originally a home game for Besiktas, will now be played at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary after the Turkish government opted not to host the tie.
The decision follows unrest after Maccabi’s recent Europa League game in Amsterdam, where at least five fans were injured in violent street attacks, after their team’s 5-0 loss to Ajax.
Besiktas said on social media that Hungary was the only country willing to host the match but, due to a decision by Hungarian authorities, the game will be held “behind closed doors".
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
In this image taken from video, police stand guard as Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters light flares at the Dam square, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo InterVision)
MALAGA, Spain (AP) — The first tie of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals between Spain and Poland was postponed on Wednesday because of a severe weather alert in the Malaga region.
Organizers said the “decision has been made based on guidance from the relevant authorities to ensure the health and safety of all participants and attendees.”
Matches are scheduled to take place at the indoor Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena.
The first-round tie between Spain and Poland will now be played on Friday, when Germany will also face Britain. Two matches are scheduled for Thursday: Japan-Romania and Slovakia-United States.
Both the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and the Davis Cup Finals are taking place in the southern Spanish city, with the men's competition beginning next week, also at the Palacio de Deportes.
The women's event is taking place after a powerful storm caused flash floods that killed more than 200 people in the Valencia region, east of Malaga, about two weeks ago.
The International Tennis Federation recently announced a donation to the Spanish Red Cross to support relief and recovery efforts in the region, and Spanish player Paula Badosa said she will donate half of her prize money to help the victims.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
A general view of the Martin Carpena sportshall during the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Malaga, southern Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, after today's matches were canceled due to heavy rain and postponed until tomorrow. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A general view of the Martin Carpena sportshall during the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Malaga, southern Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, after today's matches were canceled due to heavy rain and postponed until tomorrow. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A general view of the Martin Carpena sportshall during the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Malaga, southern Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, after today's matches were canceled due to heavy rain and postponed until tomorrow. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A man walks in front a banner reading in Spanish: "Thank you Rafa" during the Billie Jean King Cup finals at the Martin Carpena sportshall in Malaga, southern Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, after today's matches were canceled due to heavy rain and postponed until tomorrow. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A general view of the Martin Carpena sportshall during the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Malaga, southern Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, after today's matches were canceled due to heavy rain and postponed until tomorrow. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
FILE - A man walks through a street affected by floods in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)
FILE - U.S. tennis star Billie Jean King poses with Canada's team members as they celebrate after wining the Billie Jean King Cup finals in La Cartuja stadium in Seville, southern Spain, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)
FILE - Billie Jean King applauds next to trophy during the Billie Jean King Cup finals in La Cartuja stadium in Seville, southern Spain, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)
