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Leuven mayor blocks Hapoel Beersheba Europa League match over alleged safety concerns

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Leuven Mayor Mohamed Ridouani said the Belgian city would not host Hapoel Beersheba’s Europa League match against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on October 22.
  • Ridouani said a closed-door match would not eliminate the risk of people coming to the stadium, while Union Saint-Gilloise said it was seeking a solution with relevant parties.
  • Pro-Palestinian groups also opposed Hapoel Beersheba’s planned trip to the Netherlands for a match against AZ Alkmaar, citing the presence of former Israeli soldiers and supporters.

Leuven’s mayor has blocked an upcoming Europa League match involving Hapoel Beersheba, saying that even an empty stadium could attract people and create a safety risk.

The October 22 match against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise was scheduled to take place in the Belgian city. Mayor Mohamed Ridouani told the city council that Union was welcome, but added, “in this case it is an Israeli team, and I am consistent in my position.”

Union is welcome here, but in this case it is an Israeli team, and I am consistent in my position.

· Mohamed RidouaniThe Leuven mayor explained why he opposed hosting the match.

Ridouani said he had previously refused to allow Belgium’s women’s national team to play Israel in Leuven, forcing that match to move elsewhere. He gave the same reason for rejecting the Hapoel Beersheba fixture: “For reasons of public safety, I announced that this match also cannot take place in Leuven.”

For reasons of public safety, I announced that this match also cannot take place in Leuven.

· Mohamed RidouaniThe mayor cited public safety when announcing the decision.

The mayor rejected the idea of holding the game without spectators. “Even then, there is still a risk that people will come to the stadium anyway,” he said.

Royale Union Saint-Gilloise said it had received the municipality’s decision and was discussing the matter with all relevant parties. The club said it would update fans when it had news.

Even then, there is still a risk that people will come to the stadium anyway.

· Mohamed RidouaniHe rejected a proposal to play the match without spectators.

Hapoel Beersheba is also scheduled to play Dutch club AZ Alkmaar on October 15. Pro-Palestinian organizations have announced opposition to the trip, writing on social media that “the arrival of hundreds of former IDF soldiers and supporters of genocide is unacceptable.” The article said concerns had emerged that activists could organize efforts to harm Israeli fans, as in previous matches involving Israeli teams abroad.

We received Leuven Municipality’s decision to prohibit the holding of our Europa League match against Hapoel Beersheba. We are in discussions with all the relevant parties in an attempt to find a solution. As soon as there is any news, we will immediately update the fans.

· Royale Union Saint-GilloiseThe Belgian club responded to the city’s decision and said it was seeking an alternative.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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