Polish Authorities Express Concern Over Hapoel Tel Aviv Ahead of Conference League Match

Hapoel Tel Aviv, returning to European competition after 12 years, is set to face Polish club Katowice in the UEFA Conference League playoffs. The Israeli team won the first leg 2-0 in Miskolc, Hungary, but the upcoming match on Thursday has raised security concerns in Poland. Polish media, including Przegladsportowy, reported widespread apprehension about the game, recalling tensions from a previous encounter involving another Israeli team, Maccabi Haifa, and Rakow last season. During that match, some Maccabi Haifa fans displayed a provocative banner reading "Murderers since 1939," which heightened fears of escalation.

Authorities in Miskolc, including local police and UEFA, have increased security measures, deploying an additional security officer to prevent incidents. The concerns stem not only from the recent visit of Hapoel Tel Aviv to Ludogorets but also from the historical tensions between Polish and Israeli football clubs, which have previously led to conflicts extending beyond the pitch. The Polish hosts and security officials remain vigilant ahead of the second leg, mindful of the potential for clashes given the fraught history between the teams' countries.