|
|
The Euroleague championship will be played in Israel as planned next month despite security concerns.
The announcement was posted on Euroleague's Web site on Tuesday and followed a meeting by the league's commission in Barcelona.
The commission said Israel can guarantee security for the teams.
``We don't see any obstacle to holding the Final Four in Tel Aviv,'' Euroleague
CEO Jordi Bertomeu said in a statement on the organization's Web site. ``The
board has evaluated the security measures ready in Tel Aviv, from the arrival
of fans, teams and media, to their departure from the city, and these measures
are sufficient and comfortable enough to let everyone enjoy the Final Four.''
Palestinians have vowed revenge for last week's killing of Hamas founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin in a missile attack by Israeli helicopters.
The Valencian team Pamesa refused to field a team for a playoff game last week in Tel Aviv against Maccabi, and the game was awarded to the Israeli side.
The commission is composed of representatives from the leagues of Spain, Italy and Greece and six top European teams.
``I am very, very happy to hear that in the end the Euroleague people decided that the Final Four will be in Tel Aviv,'' Israeli sports minister Limor Livnat said. ``I see this as good news not only for sport, not only for the state of Israel but for the whole fight against terrorism -- we must not give in to terrorism.''