Israeli club to have no fans at two Europa League away games amid security concerns

Israeli champions Hapoel Beer-Sheva will play two upcoming Europa League fixtures on the road without travelling supporters present. On Wednesday, Dutch side AZ Alkmaar announced that municipal officials had recommended excluding visiting fans from the stadium for their fixture on 15 October due to safety concerns. The team's following away fixture a week later against Union Saint-Gilloise has been relocated to Germany. The mayor of Belgian town Leuven refused to host the match scheduled for 22 October, forcing it to be held behind closed doors to all supporters at Fortuna Düsseldorf’s ground. Since October 2023, security considerations have required Israeli domestic sides and the national team to stage home European matches in neutral venues, though fixtures abroad have generally proceeded as normal. AZ Alkmaar, who faced Sunderland last month, said they 'respect the decision' (Getty) "AZ respects this decision and follows the instructions of the relevant authorities," stated the Dutch side, adding: "The safety of supporters, employees, players and other stakeholders is paramount." The decision comes after violent street clashes occurred in Amsterdam when Ajax hosted Maccabi Tel-Aviv in a Europa League tie in the Netherlands in November 2024. Maccabi Tel-Aviv fans were calso banned from attending their side’s Europa League match against Aston Villa last season after the fixture was classified as high risk by West Midlands Police based on “current intelligence and previous incidents”. Belgian champions Union noted last week that they had attempted to find a venue nearer to Brussels than Leuven to reduce travel for their supporters. "Unfortunately, for security reasons, the latter was not possible," Union explained in a statement, confirming that "the match will have to be played behind closed doors." Hapoel Beer-Sheva entered Europe’s second-tier tournament after coming within minutes of securing a place in the Champions League in August. The club surrendered a stoppage-time goal away at Azerbaijani side Sabah during the final qualifying phase before succumbing in extra time. Currently staging home matches in Bucharest, Romania, the club started the Europa League with a 0-0 draw against Dinamo Zagreb on 16 September. Their remaining away fixtures include a visit to Besiktas in Istanbul on 26 November and a trip to face Bournemouth on England’s south coast on 28 January.