Hapoel Tel Aviv Fans Impress Abroad but Leave Mess in Hungarian Host City
Hapoel Tel Aviv's supporters made a striking impression during their UEFA Conference League qualifier against Ludogorets in Miskolc, Hungary, but their visit also sparked local backlash due to post-match disorder. Over 5,000 fans traveled more than 2,000 kilometers from Israel to Hungary, marking the club's return to European competition after 12 years. They arrived in a convoy of 20 buses escorted by police and created a vibrant, South American-style atmosphere with chants, trumpets, and pyrotechnics, as reported by the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ).
Despite the positive international media coverage praising the fans' passionate support and the team's 2-0 victory, Miskolc's local authorities expressed strong criticism. Mayor József Tóth-Szántai condemned the post-match events as unacceptable, revealing that the stadium area and the nearby South Kilián neighborhood were left heavily littered. City workers spent the night clearing nearly nine cubic meters of trash. The mayor assured residents that they would not bear the cleanup costs and that the city would seek reimbursement from those responsible.
Residents voiced complaints about the lack of prior notice regarding the large influx of fans, the route of the fans' spontaneous march through parks and residential areas, and the damage caused by fireworks, which scorched lawns and disturbed local wildlife. Some locals also criticized the noise, traffic congestion, and mess, calling on the city to reconsider hosting similar international matches in the future. The mayor suggested that local police should have a more prominent security role in upcoming events, as the responsibility this time fell to the national police from Budapest.
The contrasting reactions highlight the complex impact of hosting large-scale international football events: while foreign media celebrated the fans' spirited support and the team's success, the host city grappled with the aftermath and community concerns over the event's local toll.
