"Israel's World Cup qualifying match in Italy next week is expected to attract more pro-Palestinian protesters outside the football stadium in Udine than ticket-holding spectators inside the arena. Protesters already approached the gates of Italy's training centre in Florence last week to demand that the match not be played because of the war in Gaza part of a national strike that saw millions of activists take to the streets."
"It's not going to be a calm environment, Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso acknowledged Tuesday from inside the Coverciano training centre that was targeted. There will be 10,000 people outside the stadium and 5-6,000 inside the stadium. As of Monday, only 4,000 tickets were sold for next Tuesday's match at Stadio Friuli. The protesters in Italy and elsewhere have also been reacting to an international aid mission blocked by Israeli forces."
"While UEFA had been considering suspending Israel over the war and Udine Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni had called for the game to be postponed, with Italy desperately attempting to avoid failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, the four-time champion team doesn't plan to risk not playing. We have to play this match. Because if we don't, we'll lose it 3-0, Gattuso said, referring to the rule for forfeited matches. [Italian Football Federation] president [Gabriele] Gravina explained that very well."
On October 14 Italy will host Israel in a World Cup qualifier at Stadio Friuli in Udine, a venue holding roughly 6,000 spectators. Pro-Palestinian protesters are expected to significantly outnumber ticket-holding fans, with authorities reporting about 10,000 demonstrators outside and 5-6,000 people inside; only 4,000 tickets had been sold by Monday. Protesters approached Italy's training centre in Florence and joined a national strike. UEFA considered suspending Israel and Udine's mayor urged postponement, but Italy insisted on playing to avoid a 3-0 forfeit. Italy and Israel are level on six points behind Norway.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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