Polish Ultras Group Sparks Controversy with Anti-Israel Video Ahead of Match Against Hapoel Tel Aviv

The ultras group of Polish football club GKS Katowice, known as "Młody Bastion," has ignited outrage after releasing a provocative promotional video ahead of their UEFA Conference League qualifying matches against Hapoel Tel Aviv. The video, published on August 4, 2026, aims to encourage local fans to attend the first leg scheduled for August 6. It depicts a classroom scene where all participants wear ski masks and club gear while drinking alcohol during a geography lesson. When the teacher asks a student to identify Israel on a map, the country's name is censored with a beep, and the student dismissively replies, "There is no such country," prompting applause and cheers from the class. This video follows a series of recent antisemitic and anti-Israel statements circulating on social media since the matchup was announced. The incident has drawn significant criticism amid growing concerns about hostility toward Israeli teams in European competitions.