[Football] Maccabi Tel Aviv match moved

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wellquickwoody

Many More Voting Years
NSC Patron
Aug 10, 2007
13,900
Melbourne
Could someone explain how it can be considered in anyway fair that a team that has its home ground in Europe, has to play one of its European Champions League home games against a team from Asia in a foreign country behind closed doors?

 






The Optimist

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Apr 6, 2008
2,768
Lewisham
It’s not fair on Besiktas but the article says it was a decision by the Turkish government. Doesn’t say why. What other option would you propose?
 








Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo

I believe in Joe Hendry
Oct 4, 2003
12,022
It’s not fair on Besiktas but the article says it was a decision by the Turkish government. Doesn’t say why. What other option would you propose?
The Turkish government asked that it be played away from Turkey due to the current strained relationship between Turkey and Israel. The Hungarian authorities agreed to stage the match on the proviso it was played behind closed doors.
 




Perry's Tracksuit Bottoms

King of Sussex
Oct 3, 2003
1,452
Lost
Could someone explain how it can be considered in anyway fair that a team that has its home ground in Europe, has to play one of its European Champions League home games against a team from Asia in a foreign country behind closed doors?


The Champions League also allows Asian teams Fenerbahce and Galatasaray to take part, so it's hardly surprising they have such a slapdash attitude to tectonics.
 








Insel affe

HellBilly
Feb 23, 2009
24,304
Brighton factually.....
As far as I can see this was a political decision by the Turkish Government not to allow an Israeli Team to play in Turkey. I don't think it's anything to do with the fan trouble in the Netherlands. If Besiktas are upset they need to talk to their Government who asked for the match to be moved.
Fair point, and it saves them having to put an expensive security ring around the team from the moment the plane lands.
They do not need that aggro, too many things can go wrong and then Israel would start finger pointing as usual without looking at their own fans disgusting behaviour.
 




LamieRobertson

Not awoke
Feb 3, 2008
48,375
SHOREHAM BY SEA
As far as I can see this was a political decision by the Turkish Government not to allow an Israeli Team to play in Turkey. I don't think it's anything to do with the fan trouble in the Netherlands. If Besiktas are upset they need to talk to their Government who asked for the match to be moved.
…as an aside tonight’s Nations league game where Israel play France in Paris will be under the microscope
 


Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo

I believe in Joe Hendry
Oct 4, 2003
12,022
The Champions League also allows Asian teams Fenerbahce and Galatasaray to take part, so it's hardly surprising they have such a slapdash attitude to tectonics.
Galatasaray are based in the European side of Istanbul, in fact it's further away from the border between Europe and Asia than Besiktas is.
 






Audax

Boing boing boing...
Aug 3, 2015
3,259
Uckfield
As far as I can see this was a political decision by the Turkish Government not to allow an Israeli Team to play in Turkey. I don't think it's anything to do with the fan trouble in the Netherlands. If Besiktas are upset they need to talk to their Government who asked for the match to be moved.
Pretty sure I saw in an article (on the Amsterdam issues) that the reason was because the Turkish government felt the risk of trouble outside the ground was too high. It's more about safety for all concerned than it is about "not allowing" an Israeli team to play inside Turkey.
 


trueblue

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
10,946
Hove
Hungary seems to be the destination of choice. That's where Israel have been playing their international 'home' fixtures too.
 








Professor Plum

Well-known member
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Jul 27, 2024
580
An away fans ban wouldn’t remove the danger. We’ve seen a Turkish owner this week sent to prison for 5 years for punching a ref after a game. We’ve seen other scenes from Turkey where guns were being waved about on the pitch. They’ve had the league programme suspended for weeks for uncontrollable fan violence. Unfortunately this is probably the best option. Either the players themselves could be attacked or there’s every chance of a general anti-Israel riot or violent protest at the ground. Not worth the risk.
 


portlock seagull

Well-known member
Jul 28, 2003
17,739


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