Several student groups were planning a protest against Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, during that country’s European Division II Championship match against Jersey, in Glasgow, Scotland .
Strathclyde police yesterday decided that they could not guarantee the safety of the public at the Weirs venue, saying they had no alternative but to cancel the fixture.
Both Israel and Jersey have been awarded a point each; two would have been the prize of the match winners.
Jersey team manager Dave Gorman, told of the cancellation by the Jersey Evening Post yesterday afternoon, said: ‘We were met by Scottish officials at Edinburgh Airport mid-afternoon and there was no talk of a cancellation.
‘There was some concern over the possibility of protests taking place but nothing to say that the game would not be played.
‘We were eventually told at 5 pm when we got to our hotel.
We had a meeting with the tournament referee, David Jukes, and ICC European development manager Richard Holdsworth.
‘The police have a responsibility to ensure everyone is safe in the vicinity of the ground and we have to respect their decision; especially as there is a children’s nursery at the ground where we were due to play.
‘It’s big disappointment for everyone and sadly this will take some of the pleasure away from the players as they were all keyed up and looking forward to playing.
‘That’s been taken away from them now but maybe the enforced lay-off will make them even keener when they take to the field against France on Saturday.
‘Having been awarded a point each does set us back a little because had we played and won we could have gained two points.
‘It could make things a bit more difficult in the group but we will remain fully focused and keep looking forward.
‘On the positive side not playing gives us the opportunity to have a look at the other teams and their players for when we play them over the weekend.
‘We will now have a practice session today with Ireland.
They have kindly offered to share their facility at Titwood Cricket Club with us and we are extremely grateful to them.
‘There is a possibility we may do something with them; I’m not sure if we will train separately or have a shortened game.’ Gorman told the JEP last Saturday, in an article published on the back page, that the Jersey Cricket Board were aware of the current difficulties in the Middle East but that they did not anticipate any problems in Scotland.
Today’s cancellation is the second blow to Jersey cricketers this summer as the under-17s’ début on the ICC stage was also called off, again because of safety reasons, as it was due to be staged in Israel.
Guernsey open their account today against Gibraltar with Jersey playing France on Saturday and Norway on Sunday.
