STOCKHOLM — Israel and Sweden will play their Davis Cup match without spectators.

Swedish organizers last week cited security concerns for the empty-arena policy when the national tennis squads compete March 6 to 8 in the southern city of Malmo, cbssports.com reported. Anti-Israeli demonstrations spurred by Israel’s recent military operation in Gaza are expected during the best-of-five series.

Stockholm, saying it could better guarantee security, had offered to host the match, but officials in the capital realized later they didn’t have enough time to organize before the Israelis arrived Feb. 28.

Stockholm officials claimed that Malmo’s decision was political. Malmo, Sweden’s third-largest city, has a left-leaning government and a large Muslim minority. Its leaders strongly criticized Israel after the Gaza invasion, and some called for dropping the Davis Cup match. Stockholm has a centre-right majority that is more pro-Israeli.

Malmo Mayor Ilmar Reepalu insisted the decision to bar spectators was solely based on security concerns. He noted that pro-Palestinian groups disrupted a recent pro-Israel demonstration by throwing bottles, eggs and fireworks.

The decision comes after an Israeli tennis player, Shahar Pe’er, was denied a visa last month by the United Arab Emirates to compete in a Dubai tournament. Another Israeli, Andy Ram, was given a visa to play in the men’s Dubai tournament Feb. 25 to March 9.

DUBAI — Israeli tennis star Andy Ram lost his opening doubles match in the Dubai tournament.

Ram, ranked 12th in the world in doubles play, received a special permit Feb. 19 to enter the United Arab Emirates to play in the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships following international criticism over the country’s decision not to allow Israeli Shachar Pe’er to play in the women’s competition.

Ram and partner Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe were beaten Feb. 25 by Russia’s Marat Safin and Spain’s David Ferrer. Security was tight for the match, including the use of metal detectors.

Earlier in the week, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert urged Ram to boycott the tournament.

“I was a bit surprised to discover that Andy Ram did intend to go there,” Ha’aretz quoted Olmert as saying on Feb. 22. “It would be highly worthwhile for someone to advise him to demonstrate patriotism and solidarity and boycott the tournament.”

The men’s defending champion, American Andy Roddick, skipped the tournament over the failure to grant an entry visa to Pe’er