BySimon Griver, Simon Griver
Avi Luzon has given the Jerusalem Municipality until the end of the month to complete improvements to the Teddy Stadium or he will find another home for June’s Euro 2013 under-21 final.
Ground improvements have fallen behind schedule and the IFA chairman is threatening to move the show-piece match from the venue, as well as Israel’s match against England on June 11.
While the grounds in Tel Aviv, Netanya and Petach Tikva were approved, a Uefa delegation expressed concern that work on the press box at Teddy stadium is incomplete.
Tournament organiser Ronen Hershko said: "The main problem is the expansion of media facilities at Teddy Stadium which will be in place by the next visit of the Uefa delegates in mid-April."
The Uefa delegation was also concerned that construction of the south stand, which will increase Teddy Stadium’s capacity to 30,000, will not be finished on time, but Hershko said the Jerusalem Municipality has assured all parties that the stadium will be ready.
Israel will get the competition under way against Norway in Netanya on June 5.