Beitar and Hapoel may need to play European matches right after Tisha B'Av fast

Hapoel Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem are set to play their first European matches close to Tisha B'Av, raising a scheduling problem for UEFA. The issue is especially sensitive because the day is significant in Jewish tradition for many people in Israel.

According to the report, the eve of Tisha B'Av falls on Wednesday, July 22, while the matches are scheduled for Thursday, July 23. In Israel, the fast ends only at 8:15 p.m., so the clubs will need to ask UEFA to move the games to after the fast ends.

The teams have one possible advantage, since both are hosting the first leg. That may give them a better chance of getting a more suitable kickoff time.

Even so, players who observe the fast would face a difficult situation if they have to take the field immediately after fasting. The article notes that Maccabi Haifa once played Juventus at the end of Yom Kippur, a similar case of competing right after a major fast day.