A delegation from Israel will no longer be competing at the European Frisbee Tournament that is being held at the Blaarmeersen recreation centre in the East Flemish city of Ghent. Security concerns had meant that the matches involving Israel were to have taken place at an alternative location in De Pinte, around 13 kilometres southwest of Ghent.
However, on Tuesday the local authority in De Pinte said that the Israeli team wasn’t welcome there and the Ghent city authorities don’t want the Israeli to return to the Baarmeersen. The Frisbee tournament organisers will not seek a new venue for Israel's matches.
In a statement the organisers said the "We must respect the directives of the authorities and we must think about the safety of all our participants, players, volunteers and spectators."
In a mayoral decree that was issued by Ghent’s acting mayor Bram Van Braeckevelt (Green), Mr Braeckevelt speaks of a "significant terrorist threat." Adding that the city authorities will be allowing Israel to play its matches in Ghent.
The tournament gets underway again at 12 noon on Wednesday. Teams from 10 other country will be competing at the Blaarmeersen in Ghent.