Chelsea stars query travel safety

Claudio Ranieri has banned his Chelsea players from talking publicly about their trip to Tel Aviv as sport becomes increasingly dislocated by military action in Afghanistan.

Chelsea are due to fly to Israel for a UEFA Cup game against Hapoel next Wednesday, and so far the club is adamant that the match will go ahead.

The players intend to hold a meeting to discuss the situation after Saturday's Premiership match against Leicester at Stamford Bridge but Ranieri said: "Whatever UEFA decides, we agree."

Meanwhile, following yesterday's cancellation of the Australian rugby league tour of Britain because of security fears by the players, Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill met International Board delegates in Dublin and said today: "There is no compelling reason why our tour should be called off as well."

But the ARU has already decided to appoint appoint a "world-credentialled" security officer who will oversee arrangements if their trip to Europe goes ahead.

Australian swimmers competing in next month's World Cup and US Championships in New York have been asked to sign disclaimers preventing Australian Swimming Inc. from being sued if they are injured or killed in a terrorist attack.

There are also doubts about England's proposed cricket tour to India next month. Officials will discuss the situation at next week's full meeting of the International Cricket Council in Kuala Lumpur, which will be attended by the chief executives of all the Test-playing nations.