Maccabi Haifa Sets New Rules for Fan Protests and Chants

Maccabi Haifa Football Club announced on Thursday a significant policy change regarding the North Stand and fan chants, aiming to balance freedom of expression with respect. During the upcoming break, a new mechanism will be installed to allow for displays across the entire stand. The club is also developing a clear process for approving requests to bring in cheering equipment.

This move comes amidst ongoing protests by the club's fans against the management, which have included protest signs displayed in the stands. The club clarified its intention to permit protests and freedom of speech, but with clear boundaries on the content of signs.

A club statement read, "There is no place for signs of a defamatory nature, that are degrading, or that harm human dignity, signs whose purpose is to disgrace officeholders and owners in a despicable manner that is not appropriate for any protest. For us, protest and freedom of expression, yes, degradation and harm to human dignity, no."

The club added, "We will recommend to the relevant authorities to approve all cheering equipment and all legitimate protest signs. Alongside this, there are clear red lines and threats, violence, personal harassment, degradation, humiliation, or expressions that exceed the law should not be allowed in the stands. We will continue to protect the safety and dignity of the fans, players, club employees, and everyone who comes to the stadium, adults, women, children."