Hapoel Beersheba to play in Germany with no fans in attendance after Belgium ban

Hapoel Beersheba will play its UEFA Europa League match against Union Saint-Gilloise at a neutral venue in Düsseldorf, Germany, without fans, after the mayor of Leuven, Belgium, banned the Israeli team from playing in the city over security concerns. The Belgian club announced the decision on Friday, citing the mayor's August decision and the inability to find a suitable venue inside Belgium. Hapoel Beersheba expressed regret that fans of both teams cannot attend.

Israeli soccer champions Hapoel Beersheba will play their UEFA Europa League match against Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise at a neutral venue in Düsseldorf, Germany, without fans in attendance. The Belgian club announced the decision on Friday, following a ban imposed by Mohamed Ridouani, the mayor of the Belgian city of Leuven, who decided in August that no Israeli team would play in the city due to security concerns. Union Saint-Gilloise initially sought a venue inside Belgium but only secured permission to play at the Düsseldorf Arena in Germany, which the club said minimized travel distance for its players and staff. Season-pass holders will be reimbursed. The Belgian club had originally planned to host all four of its Europa League home matches at Leuven after its own stadium was deemed unfit for such games. Hapoel Beersheba confirmed the location change and expressed regret that fans of both teams cannot attend. Ridouani defended his decision, stating it was made for public safety and that even a closed-door match risked people flocking to the stadium. After criticism from prominent Jewish figures in Belgium, the mayor accused his critics of racism, hatred, lies, and propaganda, noting that Rabbi Ilana Sumka, the only female rabbi in Belgium, supported his decision. Israeli teams have played European matches at neutral sites outside Israel since the October 7, 2023, massacre and the subsequent war. Hapoel Beersheba has played its European home matches in Hungary and Romania this season.