Italy-Israel ticket sales poor amid enhanced security measures

There are strict security measures put in place around the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine for tomorrow’s Nations League match between Italy and Israel, which affected ticket sales.

The game kicks off at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) on Monday.

Inevitably, there is a great deal of tension around the organisation of this fixture due to the on-going situation in the Middle East.

Italy-Israel calls for extra security

There are tall metal barriers around the Red Zone, which was ruled off limits 48 hours before kick-off.

Somewhere between 500-1,000 police agents will also be in attendance and Italy fans have been urged to arrive very early to go through the security checks.

Roads have been closed and traffic diverted around the stadium as well as the hotel where the Israel team is staying.

Also because of this situation, only 11,700 tickets have been sold, along with 500 children invited from local football academies and 800 from the amateur clubs in the region as part of an Italy initiative.

Earlier on Monday, there is a planned pro-Palestine march in Udine which organisers believe will attract around 4,000 people.