- Palestine's national team will play India on October 12 and Vietnam on October 15 in Vietnam.
- Domestic football in Palestine is suspended due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
- At least 410 athletes and officials have died in Gaza, including 297 footballers and 84 children.
The Lebanese Football Association (LFA) has announced the indefinite postponement of all football matches within its domestic tournaments due to escalating violence in the region. This decision comes in light of recent attacks by Israel in southern Lebanon, which have heightened fears of an impending all-out war.
Since the onset of the bombardment on Friday, the situation in Lebanon has rapidly deteriorated. Reports from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health indicate that at least 558 individuals have lost their lives, including 50 children, while 1,835 others have sustained injuries in the ongoing conflict. The severity of the violence has prompted the LFA to prioritize the safety of players, officials, and fans.
The decision to halt all football activities reflects the broader unrest affecting the nation, as communities grapple with the impact of the conflict. The LFA’s commitment to protecting its members and the public has led to this precautionary measure, underscoring the challenges faced by sports organizations amid political and military crises.
In addition to the human toll, the conflict poses significant challenges for the sporting community, as local clubs and leagues navigate the uncertainty of when it will be safe to resume play. The LFA’s postponement serves as a reminder of the pervasive influence of conflict on everyday life, including sports and recreational activities.
As Lebanon faces a critical moment in its history, the LFA’s decision highlights the need for peace and stability in the region. Football, a beloved sport in Lebanon, serves as a source of unity and hope for many, and its suspension underscores the seriousness of the current situation.
The LFA will continue to monitor developments closely and is committed to providing updates regarding the status of football matches as the situation evolves. The association emphasizes the importance of safety and well-being for all involved in the sport during these challenging times.
Tens of thousands of individuals have been displaced from their homes, and the situation is worsening, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
In light of the ongoing crisis in Lebanon, the executive committee of the Lebanese Football Association (LFA) announced on Tuesday that all tournament matches will be postponed until further notice. This decision reflects the association’s commitment to the safety and well-being of players, officials, and fans amid the escalating conflict.
The announcement came just four days after the Lebanese Premier League’s opening day, marking a significant disruption to the country’s premier domestic men’s football competition. The second match day of the 2024-2025 season was originally scheduled to take place from September 27 to 29, but those plans have now been put on hold.
The LFA’s decision highlights the broader impact of the current situation on daily life in Lebanon, as communities deal with the challenges of displacement and uncertainty. The postponement of matches underscores the difficulties faced by sports organizations in navigating such crises.
As the number of displaced individuals continues to rise, the LFA remains focused on prioritizing safety and will provide updates regarding the status of future matches as conditions evolve. The association’s statement reflects the reality that, in times of conflict, sports take a back seat to the pressing needs of the population.
Lebanon has no international fixtures planned in the upcoming months. The last home game took place on December 28, when the men’s national team faced Jordan in a friendly match.
The Palestine men’s national team is set to play its next two friendly matches against India on October 12 and Vietnam on October 15, both scheduled to take place in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, domestic football in Palestine remains on hold amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated following the attacks in southern Israel on October 7. The Palestine Professional League last held a match on October 6, with the situation severely affecting local competitions.
While domestic play is suspended, the national team continues to compete in international fixtures abroad. The last time Palestine hosted a home game was in 2019, in the occupied West Bank, highlighting the challenges faced by the sport in the region.
According to the Palestine Football Association, the war in Gaza has had a devastating impact on the sporting community, with reports indicating that at least 410 athletes, sports officials, and coaches have been killed as a result of the conflict as of August. This tragic toll includes 297 footballers, of whom 84 were children, underscoring the profound human cost of the violence.
