An Israeli football team has been barred from playing a Belgian club in a Uefa Europa League match over “security concerns”.
Mayor Mohamed Ridouani of Leuven, Belgium, said the upcoming game between Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise (USG) and Israel’s Hapoel Be’er Sheva could not take place at the city’s Den Dreef stadium.
USG’s home ground, Stade Joseph Marien, is in Brussels, but the club is playing its season from the stadium in Leuven after its usual base was found not to meet Uefa requirements.
Speaking to Belgian broadcaster VRT, Ridouani stressed the decision was not due to politics, but “for the sake of public safety” and preventing potential protests, adding: “I consistently draw the line there. We cannot guarantee safety.”
He is also reported to have quashed the idea of the match being held behind closed doors.
He added that his position was consistent with a previous decision not to allow a 2024 Nations League match between the Belgian and Israeli national teams at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels for similar reasons.
In a statement at the time, a spokesperson for the local government said: “The city of Brussels considers it impossible to organise a Belgium-Israel match in the King Baudouin Stadium.
“After a careful and in-depth analysis, we must conclude today that the announcement of such a match in our capital in these particularly troubled times will undoubtedly lead to large demonstrations and counter-demonstrations, jeopardising the safety of spectators, players, Brussels residents and our police forces.”
That match was eventually played at a mutual ground in Debrecen, Hungary, behind closed doors.
Uefa has since confirmed that it is “the duty of the host club to find an alternative venue” and that USG is expected to confirm the new stadium “in the coming days”.
The Israeli embassy in Brussels said in response to the decision: “We have full confidence in the Belgian security authorities and their ability to ensure that a football match can take place safely and securely.”
The embassy also offered help in providing such security, adding: “Should assistance be required, Israel would be happy to provide it.”
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