Maccabi Tel Aviv Awaits UEFA Decision: Will the Match Be Open to Spectators?
The verdict regarding penalties for the use of flares and fireworks against Sheriff is expected on Monday. The club clarifies that the suspension of ticket sales for the match against CSKA Sofia does not necessarily mean it will be played behind closed doors.
Maccabi Tel Aviv opened ticket sales on Friday for the home match against CSKA Sofia (Thursday, 19:00, Sport1) in the third qualifying round of the Europa League. However, just a few hours later, the club was forced to halt sales following instructions from UEFA. The governing body has opened a disciplinary case against the club due to the use of flares and fireworks during the return leg against Sheriff Tiraspol, held the day before.
Sources within Maccabi Tel Aviv clarified that this does not necessarily mean the team will be punished with a match behind closed doors, and the club is currently awaiting the UEFA decision, expected on Monday.
CSKA Sofia is also awaiting answers, as the disciplinary proceedings currently prohibit them from selling tickets to their fans. The Bulgarian supporters are waiting for the verdict to see if they will be able to travel to Batumi, after being barred from attending the away match against Qarabag in the previous round due to sanctions received following their game against Derry City in the first qualifying round.
The announcements from both clubs are intended to prevent fans from booking flights and making travel arrangements until it is clear whether UEFA will impose restrictions on stadium attendance.
It should be noted that Maccabi Tel Aviv is also carrying a suspended sentence from their away match against Stuttgart last December. At that time, UEFA fined the club 20,000 euros and imposed a suspended ban on selling tickets to their fans for one away match in UEFA competitions.
