Belarus pull out of friendly date

Belarus will not travel to Ramat-Gan for a friendly match against Israel scheduled for 12 February.

Belarus offer
The Belarus Football Federation (BFF) informed their Israeli counterparts today that the side will not be able to play in Ramat-Gam. The Belarussians said that most of their players are not allowed to go to Israel by their club, creating a situation where only second-string players would be able to travel. However Belarus have offered to play the Israelis in an indoor facility with an artificial pitch in Minsk.

EURO 2004™ qualifier
This is the second time in a year that Belarus and Israel have failed to meet. In August 2002 Israel postponed a friendly with Belarus in Minsk and instead played Lithuania. Belarus face Moldova in a UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying match on 29 March, followed by friendlies with Uzbekistan on 2 April and Bulgaria on 30 April. All three games will be played in Minsk. Belarus currently have no points after three games in qualifying Group 3.