Udine on high alert ahead of Italy's match against Israel
The city of Udine is on high alert as Italy prepares to host Israel in a competitive soccer match
By DANIELLA MATAR
Published - Oct 14, 2024, 06:40 AM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 06:23 PM EST
UDINE, Italy (AP) — The city of Udine is on high alert as Italy prepares to host Israel in a competitive soccer match on Monday.
The Nations League match is being played among the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which has spread to Lebanon after more than a year-long war in Gaza.
It is the first match Israel has played outside neutral Hungary this year. After the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7 last year, the national soccer team played in Kosovo and Andorra last November.
All Israel matches since then have been played in Hungary, including last month’s away game against Belgium in the Nations League after the Belgian soccer federation refused to host the game for security reasons.
