SHARE
COPY LINK

SPORT

European football giants cancel Israel pre-season match over security

Italian footballing giants Juventus were set to square off against Spanish side Atlético Madrid in Tel Aviv this weekend but the match was postponed amid renewed hostilities in the region.

European football giants cancel Israel pre-season match over security
Smoke billows from an Israeli air strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on August 6, 2022. Photo: AFP

A pre-season friendly match between Spanish side Atlético Madrid and Italian giants Juventus which was scheduled to take place in Israel this weekend has been cancelled because of “security” concerns, the two teams announced on Saturday.

The match was due to take place at the Bloomfield stadium in Tel Aviv on Sunday but a renewed surge in hostilities in the region prompted the promoters Comtec Group to call it off.

“Due to the latest developments, the friendly between Atletico Madrid and Juventus, scheduled in Israel, has been cancelled,” said Juventus in a statement.

“Due to the current security situation, Comtec Group announces that the match between Atletico Madrid and Juventus, scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday 7 August at Bloomfield Stadium, will not be played.”

Israel hit Gaza with air strikes on Saturday and a Palestinian militant group retaliated with a barrage of rocket fire, in the territory’s worst escalation of violence since last year.

Juventus start their Serie A campaign with a home tie against Sassuolo on August 15 while Diego Simeone’s Atletico play their La Liga opener against Getafe the same day.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS

Spain’s Nadal and Alcaraz to play tennis doubles together at Olympics

Spanish tennis legend Rafa Nadal (38) will join forces with his heir to the throne Carlos Alcaraz (21) in the tennis doubles tournament at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Spain's Nadal and Alcaraz to play tennis doubles together at Olympics

French Open champions Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal have been named in the Spain team for the 2024 Olympic Games, the Spanish tennis federation (RFET) announced Wednesday. Even more exciting is the announcement that they will play together in the doubles tournament.

World number two Alcaraz last weekend won his first Roland Garros title on the clay in Paris, where the Olympic tournament will take place from July 27th to August 4th.

Nadal boasts 22 Grand Slam victories, including a record 14 French Open titles, but only returned to competition last April after missing the best part of 16 months through injury and is currently ranked 264 in the world.

The Spanish men’s squad is completed by world number 32 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Pablo Carreño and number two-ranked doubles player Marcel Granollers.

On the women’s side, Spanish number one Sara Sorribes and world number 67 Cristina Bucsa have been included in the team.

Injury-plagued former world number two Paula Badosa – now ranked 118 – will not be included in the squad for Paris.

“We have the chance of winning two or three medals (at the Olympics),” said RFET president Miguel Diaz Roman.

All national federations must produce their final list for the Games by June 19 at the latest.

SHOW COMMENTS