Luhansk Zorya has published a statement on its official website regarding the third round of the Conference League group stage match against Maccabi Tel Aviv, which is due to take place on 26 October.
"Luhansk Zorya is sympathetic to the situation in Israel. Namely, to the war and terrorist acts on the territory of the country, and to everything that leads to the death of people.
However, despite everything, it should be recalled that there has been a war on the territory of our country for almost 10 years. During this time, our people, our fans and our team have been through a lot. They had to leave their homes, start their lives again and fight on.
During this period of time, despite the difficult times, Zorya Luhansk has never asked for the postponement of at least European Cup matches and has been playing football despite everything. Even now, when our team travels to many places by bus, across borders for 15-20 hours, and then plays in one country, after which it returns to Ukraine for the same 20 hours and takes part in its own championship.
"Zorya offered to exchange home matches with Maccabi, or help the opponent organise their home match at the Lublin Arena. "Zorya would not mind playing the opponent's home match in any country where the home team chooses. But Maccabi wants to postpone the match, which is scheduled for 26 October, to November.
In November, the Black and Whites have a very difficult calendar. In addition to European Cup matches, we will have a match in the Ukrainian Cup (in Odesa) and our own league.
Given the very difficult logistics, not forgetting that Ukraine is also a country that is still at war and fighting for its independence, and does not want to neglect domestic competitions (the Cup and the Ukrainian Championship), any postponement of matches is unacceptable for Zorya.
We are ready to play football and are ready to play in accordance with the regulations and calendar of UEFA competitions and the domestic championship," Zorya said in a statement.
