{"id":109754,"date":"2023-10-12T12:37:49","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T12:37:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/10\/12\/uefa-chief-expresses-profound-sorrow-to-israel\/"},"modified":"2023-10-12T12:37:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T12:37:49","slug":"uefa-chief-expresses-profound-sorrow-to-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/10\/12\/uefa-chief-expresses-profound-sorrow-to-israel\/","title":{"rendered":"Uefa chief expresses ‘profound sorrow’ to Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"
Ceferin was re-elected as Uefa president in April
\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has expressed \u201cprofound sorrow\u201d about \u201cthe tragic acts of violence\u201d in Israel.<\/p>\n

Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a series of attacks on the country, killing hundreds and taking up to 150 people hostage.<\/p>\n

Ceferin made his remarks on behalf of the European football community in a letter sent to the chairman of the Israel Football Association.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s Euro 2024 qualifier against Kosovo on Sunday has been postponed.<\/p>\n

Israeli authorities will not allow the national team to travel abroad, and a new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.<\/p>\n

In response to the attacks by Hamas, Israel has launched air strikes on Gaza and prevented the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn behalf of Uefa and the European football community, I am writing to express our profound sorrow upon learning about the tragic acts of violence that occurred last week in Israel, resulting in the loss of innocent lives,\u201d said Ceferin in his letter.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy heart goes out to all the victims and their families during these difficult times. It is an unimaginable tragedy, and the pain and sorrow are profound and resonate across the entire football community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe sincerely hope no one will ever again experience such grief.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy friend, I pray for these deep wounds to heal and for a world where such senseless acts of violence have no place.\u201d<\/p>\n

The UK government has written a letter encouraging governing bodies in sport to \u201cappropriately\u201d mark the attacks in Israel this week with shows of support for the victims.<\/p>\n

The Football Association is unlikely to light the Wembley arch in the colours of the Israel flag because of fears of a backlash from some communities and, rather than lighting the arch, BBC Sport understands a message of peace and unity will be conveyed before England face Australia in a friendly on Friday.<\/p>\n

A decision on how to mark the attacks is expected to be made on Thursday.<\/p>\n

The FA, Premier League and individual clubs have not yet commented about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n