Polish Katowice Fans' 'Red Is Bad' Banner Linked to Far-Right Clothing Brand, Not Israeli Team

During the UEFA match between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Polish club Katowice on August 12, 2026, Katowice fans displayed a large banner reading "Red Is Bad." Contrary to initial assumptions that it was a jab at Hapoel Tel Aviv's red colors, the phrase actually references a Polish far-right clothing brand named "Red Is Bad." This brand is associated with Polish nationalism and the far-right political sector, which has gained prominence in recent years. The company often promotes messages that are anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, and fascist in nature, normalizing extremist views in Poland.

The "Red Is Bad" brand features slogans such as "Proud of our roots since birth," "Anti-communists," "Defenders of Europe," and "Death to the enemies of the nation." These messages reflect the ideology embraced by some Katowice supporters. The banner was not intended as a provocation against Hapoel Tel Aviv but rather as an expression of local political identity linked to the far-right movement in Poland. The match took place in Poland as the second leg following Hapoel Tel Aviv's 2-0 victory in the first game.

This incident highlights the intersection of sports fandom and political symbolism in European football, where fan displays can carry deeper ideological meanings beyond the game itself.