Palestine cancel friendlies in Morocco amid Middle East travel disruption

March 19 (Reuters) - Friendly matches involving the Palestinian national team against Mauritania and Benin, scheduled to be ​played in Morocco later this month, have been ‌cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) said on Thursday. The decision comes amid widespread ​travel disruption across the region following U.S.-Israeli strikes ​on Iran, which have affected air traffic through ⁠several major Gulf transit hubs and led to airport ​closures on security grounds. Coach Ihab Abu Jazar’s side had ​been due to face Benin on March 27, before meeting Mauritania four days later, as part of their preparations for the ​2027 Asian Cup, which will be hosted by ​Saudi Arabia. “The Palestinian Football Association has announced that the senior national ‌team ⁠will be unable to participate in the friendly training camp hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco,” the PFA said in a statement. The association cited regional conditions, travel ​difficulties and airport ​closures, adding ⁠that it had been unable to complete the logistical arrangements required for the ​delegation to travel. “The safety of the players ​and the ⁠technical and administrative staff remains our top priority,” it said. Most of the Palestinian squad’s players are based in ⁠Gulf ​leagues and could face difficulties travelling ​under current conditions. Football activities have also been disrupted elsewhere in the region.. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab