"Protesters already approached the gates of Italy's training center in Florence last week to demand that the match isn't 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 center that was targeted. "There will be 10,000 people outside the stadium and 5-6,000 inside the stadium.""
"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 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 soccer federation] president [Gabriele] Gravina explained that very well.""
Israel's World Cup qualifying match in Udine is expected to draw far more pro-Palestinian protesters outside the stadium than ticketed fans inside. Only 4,000 tickets were sold for the Stadio Friuli fixture, and organizers anticipate thousands of demonstrators following nationwide strikes and protests over the Gaza war. UEFA considered suspending Israel and Udine's mayor sought postponement, but Italy plans to play to avoid a 3-0 forfeit. Tensions flared after the teams' previous 5-4 meeting in neutral Hungary. Protesters also reacted to an international aid mission blocked by Israeli forces amid the two-year anniversary of Oct. 7.
Read at ESPN.com
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