On The Ground newsletter – Get a Weekly dispatch from Our International CorrespondentsGet a Weekly dispatch from Our International CorrespondentsGet a Weekly international news dispatchopen galleryMaccabi Tel Aviv Fans attended Their Europa League Match Against PAOK In Greece in September (REUTERS).open image in galleryPolice escort Maccabi Tel Aviv Supporters to the Metro after Pro-Palestinian Supporters marched near The soccer stadium in Amsterdam last year (AP)open image in gallerySmoke from flares covers the pitch before the Tel Aviv derby was called off in October (AP)A history of problems off the pitchIn 2014, three Maccabi fans were arrested in early morning raids for verbally assaulting Mahran Radi, an Arab Israeli midfielder Maccabi fans were accused of punching and pepper spraying five Aek Larnaca fans after a Conference League match in Israel in 2023During a Conference League match against Olympiakos last summer, Greek media reported that Israeli fans had attacked a man carrying a Palestinian flag, after he reportedly shouted anti-Israel slogans Ahead of last year’s game against Ajax in Amsterdam, Tel Aviv fans clashed with pro-Palestinian supporters. After clashes, 60 people were arrested. There was a report of problems with both sides. Tel Aviv fans fought with pro-Palestinian supporters before the game against Ajax in Amsterdam last year. Chants from “Why is there no school in Gaza? There are no children left there” were heardAmsterdam’s mayor also said there were antisemitic attacks on Jewish visitors to the city, telling reporters that men on scooters had carried out “hit and runs” Maccabi supportersFive individuals were later sentenced to prison for violence. The Dutch court said there was “no justification for calling for and using physical violence against Israeli supporters”A derby match between Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Hapoel Tel Aviv has been cancelled because flares and smoke grenades were thrown before the kick-off. Twelve civilians as well as three police officers suffered injuries. The police arrested nine people, and stated that the decision to cancel the match was due the perceived “endangerment of human life”Other Israeli clubs also have their own problems. Beitar Jerusalem’s office was set ablaze in 2013 when it signed two Muslim Chechnyan players. Abuse from fans required players to have police protection. A match last year had to be abandoned because Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s supporters attacked Bnei Sakhnin’s fans, traditionally supported by Israeli Arabs. The fans turned their backs after the Israeli anthem was played. All rights reserved.)Maccabi says it is rooting out minority of trouble makersopen image in galleryPro-Palestinian protesters gather ahead of a Europa League match between PAOK and Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv in Thessaloniki, Greece (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. What say the football authorities? “the wrong decision” (PA Wire)
2025-11-06 15:40:16
How the Gaza war overshadowed the beautiful game as Tel Aviv Maccabi fans banned from Aston Villa match
