Belgian Soccer Club Blocked by Mayor From Hosting Israeli Opponent in Europa League
Union Saint-Gilloise must find a new venue after Leuven’s mayor cited public safety in blocking the Europa League match, UEFA said Tuesday.
- On Monday evening, Leuven Mayor Mohamed Ridouani blocked the Oct. 22 Europa League match between Union Saint-Gilloise and Hapoel Beer-Sheva, refusing to host the Israeli club even in an empty stadium.
- Union Saint-Gilloise, the Belgian league runner-up, planned to play its four home games in Leuven because its own Brussels stadium fails to meet UEFA standards for European competitions.
- Ridouani stated his decision was consistent with his past refusal to host Belgium's national teams in matches against Israel, denying permission "for the sake of public safety" in Leuven.
- UEFA confirmed on Tuesday it was informed of the city's position, noting the host club must find an alternative venue with updates expected in coming days.
- Hapoel Beer-Sheva has played home games in Hungary and Romania this season, as UEFA regulations since Oct. 2023 have required Israeli clubs to play in neutral countries.
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37 Articles
The Israeli football club Hapoel Be’er Sheva is not welcome in the Belgian city of Leuven for the Europa League match against Royale Union on October 22...
Brussels. The Mayor of Louvain, Mohamed Ridouani, prohibited the Union Saint-Gilloise from contesting the European League party against the Israeli Hapoel Beer-Sheva, in the stadium of the city, scheduled for 22 October, considering that it creates risks to public order.
(Brussels=Yonhap News) Correspondent Hyun Yun-kyung = The mayor of Leuven, considered a leading cultural city in Belgium, has put the brakes on an Israeli football club's away match due to concerns about public safety...
The mayor of a city in Belgium refused to host an Israeli team on the city court, in a match within the European League.
Daily Sabah
The Frontier PostBelgian mayor blocks city from hosting Israeli club
A Belgian mayor has refused to allow his city to host Israeli club Hapoel Beer-Sheva for a Europa League match, forcing Union Saint-Gilloise to seek an alternative venue for the fi...
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