Maccabi Tel Aviv to Host CSKA Sofia Behind Closed Doors After UEFA Sanction
Maccabi Tel Aviv will host CSKA Sofia without fans in attendance, following a UEFA ruling due to the use of pyrotechnics during their second qualifying round match against Sheriff Tiraspol, which ended 0-1. The decision was announced on Monday, August 3, 2026. Prior to the official sanction, Maccabi had already suspended ticket sales for the upcoming match against the Bulgarian team in Batumi, Georgia. Alongside the stadium ban, Maccabi Tel Aviv was fined 40,000 euros.
The match in Batumi will take place in three days without spectators, with the return leg scheduled for the following week in Bulgaria. The winner of this tie will advance to face OFI Crete from Greece in the playoff round of the UEFA Europa League, while the losing team will compete against either Runavik or Lugano in the Conference League playoffs.
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