Haifa to play Champions League games in Nicosia

Maccabi Haifa, the first Israeli club to play in European soccer's Champions League, will play their home matches in Nicosia because of security fears, UEFA said yesterday.

In March, European soccer's ruling body said home games involving the national team and the country's clubs in European competitions should not be played in Israel.

Haifa's home match this month against Sturm Graz of Austria was played in Sofia while earlier games involving Israeli clubs were played in Nicosia.

Haifa's 5-3 aggregate win over Sturm Graz ensured their entry into yesterday's draw for the group stage of the lucrative Champions League, Europe's premier club competition.

Nicosia was proposed as a venue by the Israeli football association and endorsed by Cyprus soccer officials, UEFA said.