Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., April 27, 2008 Nisan 22, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:09 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Soccer / Clubs applaud IFA defferal of matches By Moshe Boker The Israel Football Association yesterday unanimously approved the postponement of Premier League matches scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday by a week. "After serious thinking, I have decided to delay the league round," Avi Luzon, chairman of the IFA, said. "No tragedy will occur if the clubs at the bottom of the standings await the decision by the tribunal. I've looked into the matter and decided that the best thing will be for the league to be delayed." Advertisement In a meeting that lasted only 20 minutes, the IFA board approved the measure that allows the lower teams to appeal against a decision to award Maccabi Herzliya with a technical victory over Beitar Jerusalem. That decision was made by an IFA tribunal after Beitar Jerusalem fans stormed the pitch and forced the April 13 match to be abandoned. Herzliya's rivals at the bottom of the standings say the technical victory, and the three points it entails, may be crucial in determining which teams are relegated at the end of the season. Luzon added, however, that the season would be postponed on the condition that these clubs respect the final decision by the IFA's supreme court. Also yesterday, Gideon Brickman, chairman of the Sport Betting Council, asked Luzon to provide him with an official letter affirming his decision to postpone the matches and asked the IFA to compensate bettors who submitted betting forms. Luzon rejected Brickman's request, quoting a clause in the league charter that allows the IFA to postpone league matches. The hearing over the clubs' petition will be held on Monday instead of Tuesday in order to reduce the chances that the season will again be postponed. Hezi Magen, chairman of last-place club Bnei Yehuda, said: "This is a good decision. Fact is, it was unanimous. Nothing will happen if matches are postponed by a week." Aviv Bushinsky, chairman of Maccabi Tel Aviv claimed the decision was necessary. "Avi Luzon managed to reach an excellent arrangement," he said. "It prevented bottom-of-the-standings teams from going above the IFA." Luzon categorically rejected rumors that relegations may be canceled this season. "There's no way that will ever happen, not even a one-in-a-million shot," Luzon said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fake reactor Syrian envoy: Photos of alleged nuke site fabricated by CIA. Modern Moses Commander of legendary Jewish immigrant ship Exodus dies at 90.

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