Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez spoke of his relief that his side do not have to travel to Israel for their Champions League qualifier, insisting UEFA have made the right decision.
Europe's governing body decided yesterday to ban Israeli teams from playing matches at home during the current Middle East crisis.
But the Anfield boss said: ``We know it is a very bad situation and we are sorry for that. But we have to think about our own people and it is better to play the game at another venue.
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``We need to think about football and our people, at this moment it is not normal to play in a country with these problems.
``It is important we are not going to Israel for the sake of the players, and I was concerned about our fans travelling there.
``It is a very sad situation and we are sorry for what is happening. But it is better to play in another country.
``We have not been told where the second leg will be yet, Haifa have got time and do not have to decide until Friday, we must wait.''
-- + His Holiness Pope Pompous XVIII
"We Declare, State and Define that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of all human beings that they submit to the Holy Roman Pontiff" -- Pope Boniface VIII, "Unam Sanctam," 1302 AD
