Maccabi Tel Aviv have been told by UEFA to immediately suspend ticket sales for their opening leg against CSKA Sofia in the Europa League's third qualifying round, ONE reported on Friday, after the governing body opened a disciplinary case against the club over pyrotechnics let off during the win over Sheriff Tiraspol.

According to the report, UEFA instructed Maccabi to freeze sales for the CSKA Sofia fixture "until completion of the disciplinary process and a decision on the matter." The club has not been given a timeline for when, or whether, the freeze will be lifted.

The proceeding stems from the use of pyrotechnic devices by supporters during Maccabi's home leg against Sheriff Tiraspol in the second qualifying round. Maccabi's European "home" fixtures are currently being staged away from Israel, and the Sheriff second leg — like the upcoming CSKA Sofia tie — was not played at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv.

Maccabi Tel Aviv said in response that the club is cooperating fully with UEFA and will update supporters as soon as authorisation to resume sales is granted, ONE reported. There has been no word yet on a potential fine or further sporting sanction beyond the sales freeze.

The disciplinary cloud comes despite a routine passage into the third round on the pitch. Maccabi thrashed Sheriff Tiraspol 5-0 away in Moldova on July 23, then closed out the tie 1-0 at home on July 30 through a Roy Revivo free-kick, completing a 6-0 aggregate win.

That result sets up a third qualifying round meeting with CSKA Sofia, who reached this stage by beating Azerbaijan's Qarabag on penalties. The first leg is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, at 19:00 at the Batumi Stadium in Georgia, with the return leg in Sofia a week later on August 13.

Maccabi's use of a neutral Georgian venue for European home matches, and the club's recent history of UEFA sanctions over fan conduct — including a suspended ticket ban tied to incidents in Stuttgart last December — means the CSKA Sofia case will be watched closely by both the club and its supporters in the days ahead.

For now, fans hoping to travel to or watch the third qualifying round opener are left waiting on UEFA, with Maccabi able to do little more than await the outcome of the disciplinary process before it can reopen sales.