CAS rejects Israeli FA appeal

JERUSALEM, Aug 5 (Reuters) The Court for Arbitration in Sport today rejected the Israeli FA's appeal against a decision by European soccer's governing body that two UEFA Cup matches should be played at neutral venues for security reasons.

''In view of the circumstances there is no room to grant the requested injunction which would cancel UEFA's decision,'' the IFA said in quoting from the decision on its Web site.

Last week, UEFA told the IFA that Israel would not be allowed to host UEFA Cup second qualifying round first-leg matches to be held on Aug 10.

The decision forced Hapoel Tel Aviv to name Willem II's ground in Tilburg, the Netherlands to host NK Domzale of Slovenia. Bnei Yehuda named Senec's ground in Slovakia to face Bulgarians Lokomotiv Sofia in their European debut.

UEFA has said it would make a decision on Monday on Maccabi Haifa's Champions League third qualifying round home leg with Liverpool set for Aug. 22 or 23 and Beitar Jerusalem's UEFA Cup second qualifying round clash with Dinamo Bucharest on Aug. 24.

Security fears have increased in the Jewish state as a result of the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah.

Reuters AY VV1912