QPR turn down Israel's Loftus Road request

Queens Park Rangers have turned down the chance to host a Euro 2004 qualifier between Israel and Cyprus at Loftus Road this month…

Queens Park Rangers have turned down the chance to host a Euro 2004 qualifier between Israel and Cyprus at Loftus Road this month.

Tensions in the Middle East mean Israel are unable to play international fixtures on home soil for security reasons.

But QPR rejected a request from the Israeli FA to use the stadium for the October 16th clash because of a fixture pile-up.

Division Two QPR share the stadium with Barclaycard Premiership side Fulham, and five games in 13 days are scheduled there this month.

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Club chief executive David Davies told the club's official website, www.qpr.co.uk: "We were approached about staging the game, but after consultation with the local authority and residents we have decided we would be faced with too many games in such a short period of time."

Tottenham turned down a similar application from Israel last month, refusing to allow White Hart Lane to be used.