Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team is once again on the pitch, but this time under the specter of past violence. Having returned to Europe for the first time since their fans were attacked in Amsterdam, the team is gearing up to face Turkey’s Besiktas under unusual and concerning circumstances. The Europa League match is set to take place at Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, and it will be held behind closed doors—a response to security fears stemming from the recent violence against Israeli fans.
The match, originally scheduled for Istanbul, was relocated to Hungary after Besiktas requested to play on 'neutral ground' due to heightened security concerns. This call came even before the November 7 incident, where Maccabi fans were harassed and assaulted near the Ajax stadium by groups of youth, allegedly pro-Palestinian. These assaults were reported as antisemitic by various authorities, igniting backlash across Europe and Israel. The attacks, which left several fans hospitalized and sparked over sixty arrests, have cast a long shadow over the event.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s head coach, Zarko Lazetic, expressed his focus on the game itself, stating unequivocally at the recent press conference, “It’s not a question for me what happened outside of the stadium. We saw some videos and everything, but we really try to focus on football.” His comments reflect the fraught atmosphere surrounding the team, as they navigate both the zeal of competition and the reality of their supporters’ safety.
This unfortunate situation stems from the broader geopolitical strife, particularly around the Israel-Hamas conflict, which escalated dramatically after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, resulting in Israel’s military actions which have claimed thousands of lives since. The environment for not just Maccabi fans but Jews and Israelis abroad has deteriorated, seen through the alarming uptick of attacks connected to the conflict and the accompanying rhetoric against Israel.
On the streets of Amsterdam, the November 7 attacks unfolded after local authorities barred pro-Palestinian demonstrators from gathering outside the stadium. Videos from the scene depicted Israeli fans being assaulted as they chanted anti-Arab slogans, which escalated tensions. After the game, masked assailants prowl the streets, seeking to confront and intimidate anyone resembling their targets. The mayor of Amsterdam and police described the incidents as having “an antisemitic character”, highlighting the grim nature of such events. The frightening lack of security at certain points during these altercations also prompted serious reconsideration of how such events are policed, raising broader questions about public safety at sports events.
The requirement to play matches behind closed doors is not new for Maccabi. Hungary has previously played host to Israel’s national team for both practical and security reasons since the war intensified. The need for such drastic measures reflects the culmination of fan violence risks and political tensions now intertwined with what once was just sporting events.
Back at home, the team has been preparing under the pressures of these events, their final practice stemming from Kiryat Shalom training complex just hours before their departure. The hope is to take the pitch energized, focusing solely on competition and the game at hand. While such conflicts often tempt fans and players alike to acknowledge the underlying issues, Maccabi Tel Aviv is focusing on what they can control: playing football.
For many, the match symbolizes more than just sport—it serves as a reflection of larger societal issues, both within Europe and the Middle East. Nevertheless, Maccabi’s determination to press forward amid adversity stands firm as they take to the field. Come Thursday, under the dimmed lights of Nagyerdei Stadium, fans might be absent, but the eyes of many will remain firmly fixed upon how this narrative of violence, unity, and sport continues to unravel.