Organizers say Sweden and Israel will play their first-round Davis Cup matches in an empty arena next month because of security concerns.

Several anti-Israeli demonstrations are planned during the best-of-five series, which will be played March 6-8 at the 4,000-seat Baltic Hall in Malmo.

Malmo officials announced the decision yesterday after a vote on the issue in the city's recreational committee.

The decision comes after Israeli player Shahar Peer was denied a visa to play in this week's Dubai Tennis Championships.