November 12, (THEWILL) – UEFA has moved the Europa League fixture between Besiktas and Maccabi Tel Aviv from Istanbul to Debrecen, Hungary, with the match set to take place without spectators present. The decision comes amid growing security concerns and regional tensions affecting international football competitions.
The announcement follows recent incidents in Amsterdam, where Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters faced attacks during their Europa League match against Ajax. The disturbance resulted in five supporters requiring hospital treatment, while Dutch authorities made approximately 60 arrests in connection with the events.
Turkish football club, Besiktas, had previously indicated their intention to relocate the November 28 fixture to a neutral venue, citing security considerations. The decision reflects the complex diplomatic situation between Turkey and Israel, with bilateral relations experiencing significant strain throughout 2024.
The relocation decision aligns with broader safety measures implemented across European football competitions. UEFA’s statement emphasised the involvement of Hungarian local authorities in determining the closed-door nature of the upcoming match, prioritising participant safety while maintaining competitive integrity.
The fixture’s relocation comes during a period of diplomatic tension, with Turkish leadership maintaining strong criticism of Israeli policies. This political backdrop has influenced various aspects of international sports, leading to increased security measures at matches involving Israeli teams across European competitions.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
