German Jewish leader outraged over Rosh Hashanah soccer fixture in Tel Aviv

Paul Spiegel, the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, has said he was "dismayed and outraged" over football's governing body UEFA's decision to play a Champions League match in Tel Aviv as Jewish New Year festivities begin. Spiegel told the newspaper "Die Welt" that he could not understand UEFA's decision not to reschedule Wednesday evening's match between Maccabi and German side Bayern Munich. Both sides had asked football's European governing body to bring the match forward to Tuesday evening to avoid a clash with the start of Rosh Hashanah festivities. "I could only shake my head on hearing a UEFA official say it was up to Israelis to decide whether they go to football or visit the synagogue. That is a disregard for religious feelings," he said. "What sort of outcry would there be in Germany if UEFA decided such a match had to be played on Christmas Eve?" Spiegel, meanwhile praised Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer for suggesting Bayern players should visit the Yad Vashem memorial while in Israel. "Although the present generation does not bear any blame I think it's tremendous that Bayern (players) are aware of the history and responsibility and bow to the millions of Jews who were murdered during the Third Reich," he said.