© Reuters 2002

BUCHAREST, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Israel may play European championship qualifiers in Romania because the security situation in the Middle East prevents them playing at home.

UEFA has instructed Israel to play their home group one matches at neutral venues until the security situation improves. They play Malta away on October 12 and are supposed to be at home to Cyprus four days later.

"We are in contact with the Israeli FA but no final decision has been taken yet," Cristian Bivolaru, general secretary of the Romanian Football Association, told Reuters on Wednesday.

"The talks are very difficult. I can only tell you that the chances to schedule Israeli matches in Romania have risen."

According to British newspaper reports, Israel had also considered playing the Cyprus match at the White Hart Lane home of Tottenham Hotspur in north London.

Spurs dismissed the story. Director of football David Pleat said: "There are no international games of any kind planned at White Hart Lane."

The 2004 European championship takes place in Portugal.