Cyprus Mail Slams Decision to Host Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Games

A scathing editorial in the Cyprus Mail has criticized the Cypriot government's decision to allow Israeli basketball club Maccabi Tel Aviv to host its EuroLeague home games in Limassol. The article argues that the move will place significant security and financial burdens on the country and that the public deserves an explanation.

The editorial, titled "The President the Decision to Allow the Israeli Maccabi to Use the Limassol Arena," states that the government has not provided a public analysis of the costs and risks associated with hosting the Israeli champions' home games. Concerns were raised about potential security issues, particularly during games against Turkish teams, given the tensions between Israel and Turkey. The authors questioned whether the possibility of fan disturbances spilling into Limassol's streets and damaging Cyprus's image was considered.

The article also cast doubt on the Cypriot police's ability to handle high-risk games, noting their "not particularly successful record" in dealing with disturbances at local football matches. It questioned their capacity to secure over a dozen EuroLeague games throughout the season.

The issue of funding was also a focal point of criticism, with the authors questioning who would bear the security costs and whether Cypriot taxpayers would be required to finance the police preparations for Maccabi Tel Aviv's games, especially during a period of strained resources. The editorial directly addressed Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, stating that Cyprus has "nothing to gain" by becoming Maccabi's home ground and calling the decision to host all of the Israeli team's home games "simply absurd."