Lebanon’s residence World Cup qualifier towards Australia has been switched to Canberra due to the instability within the Middle East attributable to the battle in Gaza, Football Australia (FA) mentioned on Friday. Australia have been scheduled to host Lebanon in Group I in Sydney on March 21 and can now additionally stage the return match at Canberra Stadium within the nation’s capital 5 days later.

“I think first and foremost we wanted to be good global citizens and support our counterparts at the Lebanon Football Association,” FA chief govt James Johnson mentioned in a information launch. “For all intents and purposes this is a home game for Lebanon, despite it being played on Australian soil. Our team at Football Australia will be doing everything possible to assist them in the successful delivery of this match.”

Palestinian well being authorities say greater than 30,000 folks have died in Gaza within the 5 months since Israeli forces invaded the enclave in response to a lethal assault by Palestinian militant group Hamas. Lebanon, who’ve by no means performed on the World Cup finals, have been additionally compelled to maneuver their earlier residence fixture within the second spherical of Asian qualifying to a impartial floor, drawing 0-0 with Palestine within the United Arab Emirates in November.

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