Kiev give provisional consent to hosting Maccabi clash

Liverpool could face Maccabi Haifa in Ukraine after Dynamo Kiev claimed they had been approached with a view to staging the second leg of the Champions League third qualifying round tie.

Due to the Middle East conflict involving Israel, Liverpool have made it clear they do not want to travel to the country for a match which is scheduled to be played in Tel Aviv on either August 22 or 23.

UEFA will announce on Monday whether the match must be staged in Israel, however Maccabi already appear to be drawing up contingency plans.

Dynamo Kiev president Igor Surkis said in The Times: “I was approached by people from the Israeli club and also Israel’s ambassador in Ukraine, Naomi Ben-Ami, who asked if it would be possible to play the game in Kiev.

“I gave my provisional consent and said that security during the match would be guaranteed.

The Ukrainian football federation have already been informed about our initial agreement, as any final decisions over the staging of the game must be taken by them and UEFA.”