Israeli matches postponed

This decision follows postponements last week which came in the wake of a rocket exploding inside the stadium of third division club Hapoel Ashkelon shortly before a training session.

A statement on the IFA website said: "The IFA have decided not to hold matches of any age group or league this coming weekend.

"The IFA do not feel it is right to hold matches while the citizens of south Israel are under constant bombardment and are made to spend day and night in shelters and secure places.

"The IFA would like to emphasise that this decision was reached due to the understanding that we have towards our citizens at this hard time of fighting.

"We would like to add that alternatives had been made to host matches and switch venues and use other creative solutions, but we chose of our own free will and having identified ourselves with our soldiers, fans, players, coaches and football lovers at large to postpone all matches."

The statement said the IFA board voted unanimously to postpone the matches.

"The decision was reached after serious negotiation and consideration but was reached unanimously as the IFA chairman spoke to all clubs, owners and members of the secretariat of the IFA," the statement said.

"This is a decision only for this coming weekend. The IFA will discuss and assess future fixtures before reaching a decision."