Local Soccer: UEFA rules Betar Jerusalem can not play in Europe next season

Team is unable to provide financial assurances.

By ALLON SINAI
Betar Jerusalem will not be able to play in Europe next season after UEFA decided on Tuesday not to grant the club a license to take part in continental competitions. UEFA's club licensing committee came to the decision after Betar was unable to provide financial assurances for next season. "We have 10 days to appeal this decision and we will take our time to consider that option," club chairman Itzik Korenfein said. "We will do all we can to meet the club licensing committee's requirements." Also Tuesday, Betar's appeal against its one-point deduction was rejected by the Israel Football Association's disciplinary court. The team was handed the punishment for its fans racist chants during its victory at Maccabi Petah Tikva on April 18. Betar, which was also punished to face Maccabi Tel Aviv in front of empty stands in its next home match at Teddy Stadium, did at least have the extension of its suspended three-point deduction sentence canceled by the IFA.