Belgian mayor cancels match against Israeli soccer team
The mayor of the city of Leuven in Belgium, Mohamed Ridouani, on Tuesday ordered the cancellation of a soccer match between a local team and an Israeli one, prompting condemnations by Israel’s embassy, local Jews and others.Ridouani cited “security concerns” as the reason for the ban on the scheduled match later this month between HaPo’el Beersheba and Union Saint-Gilloise.“This was also the reason for previous decisions to ban games, including that of the Red Flames and the Rode Duivels,” Ridouani said on Tuesday at the City Council, following a query on the subject by a council member. “I am continuing a consistent policy. We cannot guarantee the safety” of spectator and players during the match, he added.A spokesperson for the embassy of Israel in Belgium responded on X by stating that the Israeli team in question”is an example of coexistence in Israeli football. The team includes three Arab-Israeli players: Muhammad…
The mayor of Leuven, Belgium, Mohamed Ridouani, canceled a soccer match between Israel's HaPo’el Beersheba and Union Saint-Gilloise, citing “security concerns.” This decision, which Ridouani stated was consistent with previous bans, drew strong condemnation from Israel’s embassy in Belgium and the Forum of Jewish Organizations (FJO). The Israeli embassy highlighted that HaPo’el Beersheba is an “example of coexistence in Israeli football” with Arab-Israeli players, asserting that “politics should never be allowed to interfere with sports.” The FJO questioned whether the ban was about security or exclusion, suggesting it took on a “disturbing antisemitic undertone” if based on nationality or government policies. This incident follows other instances of discrimination against Israeli sports teams in Europe, particularly since October 7, 2023, including a scandal in the UK regarding a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.
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