Matches cancelled in wake of IDF attacks

Police ordered the Israel Football Association to cancel all matches scheduled in Arab cities and villages on Saturday.

By JEREMY LAST
Published: DECEMBER 28, 2008 12:42
riots ramallah gaza operation 248.88 (photo credit: AP)
riots ramallah gaza operation 248.88
(photo credit: AP)
The police ordered the Israel Football Association to cancel all soccer matches scheduled to be played in Arab cities and villages on Saturday, following the IDF's attacks on Gaza. Games being played within a 20 kilometer radius of the Gaza Strip, including Ashdod, were also cancelled until further notice. The IFA had already cancelled all youth games in the south of the country on Thursday. These rulings did not immediately effect the top two divisions in Israeli soccer as they are currently on a three-week winter break which does not end until mid January. However the rulings applied to those games played in the lower divisions as well as the childrens and youth leagues.