Local Soccer: Sakhnin's Toto Cup quarterfinal postponed
Police fear escalating situation in Gaza could spark violence among fans.
By ALLON SINAIBetar 248.88(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
The Israel Football Association postponed Tuesday's Toto Cup quarterfinal between Bnei Sakhnin and Ironi Kiryat Shmona under police orders on Sunday.
The police feared that due to the escalating situation in Gaza, the match, which was scheduled to be played in Kiryat Shmona, could spark violence among Sakhnin fans.
Over 10,000 people demonstrated against Operation Cast Lead in Sakhnin on Saturday, by far the biggest such protest in Israel so far.
Marchers held Palestinian flags and even some green Hamas flags.
There were no reports of violence in the protest, which opened with a minute of silence, in memory of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the operation began.
The three other Toto Cup quarterfinals will go ahead as planned.
On Monday, Hapoel Tel Aviv hosts Maccabi Haifa, and on Tuesday, Maccabi Tel Aviv visits Bnei Yehuda and Maccabi Netanya hosts Ashdod SC.
