Israeli Football Faces Growing Exclusion from European Competitions
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Hapoel Be'er Sheva and the Football Association are fighting to allow fans to attend an away game against AZ Alkmaar, highlighting a broader crisis for Israeli football in European competitions. The team has been forced to play home games abroad since October 7, and away matches are increasingly being moved or held without spectators. This trend, exemplified by recent decisions from Alkmaar and previous actions by Ireland and Belgium, threatens Israel's standing and future participation in European tournaments.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Be'er Sheva and the Football Association are battling to allow fans to attend an away game against AZ Alkmaar.
- The situation reflects a growing trend of Israeli football teams facing exclusion from European competitions.
- Hapoel Be'er Sheva has been unable to host home games in Israel since October 7, 2023.
- Several European clubs have moved matches against Israeli teams or banned their fans.
- The Football Association chairman Shani Zuarz and owner Alona Barkat are involved in the effort.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva is leading a concerted effort, in cooperation with the Football Association, to allow its fans to attend the upcoming match against AZ Alkmaar. This struggle is framed as a critical battle for the future of Israeli football in European competitions, as Israel's standing continues to decline.
Since October 7, 2023, Hapoel Be'er Sheva has been unable to host its home games at Turner Stadium and has opted to play in Romania. While Romania, Hungary, and Georgia have agreed to host Israeli teams, the primary concern is with away games.
Following a draw against Dinamo Zagreb in Bucharest, Hapoel Be'er Sheva is set to play its first away match in the Europa League against AZ Alkmaar. However, the mayor of Alkmaar has issued a sweeping decision that could prevent Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans from attending, a situation mirrored by a previous decision to move a match against Union SG to Dusseldorf, Germany, without spectators.
Further complicating matters, Hapoel Be'er Sheva's away game against Besiktas in Turkey is also expected to be moved, potentially without fans. The team's European campaign could see all four away matches played without their supporters present, a situation that has drawn strong criticism from the club and the Football Association.
This escalating situation, including a previous instance where Ireland moved a match against Israel to Serbia and played it behind closed doors, places Israeli football at a dramatic crossroads, with significant implications for its participation in European tournaments.
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