Rugby Europe Suspends Andorra-Cyprus Match Over RAF Akrotiri Security Risks
The Conference division fixture in Limassol was cancelled as force majeure after attacks on the nearby airbase amid Middle East tensions, sparing Andorra's team a risky trip.
Key Points
- Match cancelled as force majeure after FAR request citing risks from Iran-attributed attacks on RAF Akrotiri.
- Decision followed discussions with federations; spares Andorra team a trip amid instability.
- Game must be rescheduled before 9 May if possible; impact on standings pending.
- Andorra's next fixture: home vs Malta on 4 April.
Rugby Europe has suspended Andorra's men's rugby match against Cyprus due to security risks from recent attacks on the nearby RAF Akrotiri airbase, amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The Conference division fixture, set for 14 December in Limassol, was cancelled following a request from the Andorran Rugby Federation (FAR). The airbase lies about 15 kilometres from the venue and was targeted in assaults attributed to Iran, prompting the FAR to alert Rugby Europe and seek a postponement to protect the squad.
After two days of discussions on Thursday and Friday with Rugby Europe, the Cypriot federation, and the FAR, the governing body ruled the suspension a case of force majeure under competition rules. FAR president Albert Calvó confirmed the decision, stating that the group had agreed to call off the game due to these exceptional circumstances.
Calvó noted that the FAR had consulted Andorra's Ministry of Foreign Affairs but received no guidance. The cancellation spares the Andorran team a trip amid the instability. He added that the federation now avoids concerns over player safety that the journey would have raised.
Regulations require rescheduling the match before 9 May if possible, though the FAR has described the timeline as tight. Rugby Europe must still decide how the outcome affects Conference group standings. Andorra's next game is a home match against Malta on 4 April.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: