Fifa calls off Israel match

Herzog has defended the players who have withdrawn

Austria's World Cup qualifier in Israel has been called off by Fifa amid growing security fears.

World football's governing body took the decision after a Russian airliner en route from Israel to Siberia exploded and then crashed into the Black Sea killing 76 people.

In a statement on Thursday, Fifa said: "President Joseph Blatter, mandated by the Emergency Committee, has decided that the match between Israel and Austria scheduled for Sunday, 7 October in Tel Aviv should be postponed."

Fifa's plans to press ahead with the European Group Seven qualifying game had already been criticised by the Austrian Football Association.

Earlier this week, nine players from the Austrian squad left their training camp after saying they would refuse to fly to Israel.

The Austrian FA had tried, without success, to persuade Fifa to move the match to a neutral country.

The Israeli authorities had pledged extra security measures, but this failed to allay Austrian fears.

Fifa's decision could have implications for Chelsea who are due to play in a Uefa Cup second-round first-leg tie against Hapoel in Tel Aviv on 18 October.

Sunday's Israel-Austria match would have decided which country finishes group runner-up to qualify for a play-off against Turkey for a place in next year's finals in South Korea and Japan.

Spain have already qualified in first place with Austria currently second on 14 points and Israel third on 11 but with a better goal difference than their opponents.