Hapoel Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem are set to play their first European matches close to Tisha B’Av, raising a scheduling problem with UEFA. The issue is especially sensitive because the fast is an important date in the Jewish calendar 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 likely ask UEFA to move kickoff until after the fast ends.
Both Israeli teams have one advantage, they are due to host the first leg, which could make UEFA more willing to accommodate them. Still, for players who observe the fast, playing immediately after fasting would not be easy.
The article notes that Maccabi Haifa previously played Juventus at the end of Yom Kippur, offering a precedent for a similar situation. The next step will be the clubs’ discussions with UEFA over a more suitable match time.
