Cyprus police have rejected the request to hold more football matches of Israeli teams in Larnaca.

Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv had submitted a request to play a total of three games at Aek Arena but saw their plea rejected due to safety concerns.

The decision has sparked outrage among Larnaca’s business community and prompted letters from the Larnaca Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel) and the Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company (Etap).

Dinos Lefkaritis, President of Etap, and Nakis Antoniou, the newly appointed president of Evel, have both expressed their dissatisfaction in letters to the Minister of Justice and the Chief of Police, urging the state to reconsider the decision.

In their letters, they say the rejection will affect Larnaca’s tourism industry negatively, “depriving Cyprus of an opportunity for international exposure and additional tourist arrivals” during the winter season.

They further note that the two Israeli teams have expressed willingness to cover the costs for enhanced security measures.

Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv participate in the Europa League. Maccabi Haifa has already played at Aek Arena on November 9, 2023, against Spanish team Villarreal. The match was played without fans.

Israeli teams have used stadiums in Cyprus as home grounds in the past during flare-ups of violence with Palestine.