Hapoel Beer-Sheva fans barred from AZ Europa League tie
Alkmaar authorities cite a 'very high risk' geopolitical context in banning away fans from the October 15 Europa League fixture at AFAS Stadion.
Hapoel Beer-Sheva supporters will not be allowed into AFAS Stadion for the Europa League tie against AZ in Alkmaar on October 15. The Alkmaar triangle — mayor Anja Schouten, the public prosecutor and the police chief — classified the fixture as "very high risk due to the geopolitical context".
The decision followed talks with both clubs, UEFA, the KNVB, other municipalities that have hosted the Israeli side and Dutch national police. In a letter to the Alkmaar council, seen by The Athletic, the authorities said the call rested on "maintaining public order and safety, not on political considerations".
Their own risk analysis rated Hapoel Beer-Sheva's travelling support a "medium risk profile" on its own. The geopolitical backdrop pushed that to "very high", with the match described as "more than a football match". The letter cited the stay and travel arrangements of the visiting side, the potential for local demonstrations and interactions between different groups, adding that "no single risk was decisive".
The triangle drew directly on two independent investigations into the Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Amsterdam in November 2024, after which Dutch police said 62 people were arrested and five hospitalised following an "unjustified outburst of violence toward Israeli supporters".
AZ, top of the Eredivisie, addressed the decision on their own website: "AZ understands that this match evokes various reactions and opinions within society and respects that people differ in their views on this. Our responsibility lies in organising a safe and responsible match within the frameworks set by UEFA and the competent authorities."
Those frameworks have now been adjusted by the authorities in question, and AZ will play Hapoel Beer-Sheva in front of a stadium of home fans only. The club lost their opening European match of the season 1-0 away at Sunderland; Ararat-Armenia, Juventus, Sparta Prague, Sturm Graz, Dinamo Zagreb and Benfica complete their group-phase schedule.
Israel's national side were beaten 3:0 by the Republic of Ireland in their most recent Nations League outing, with Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Jack Moylan scoring inside the first 25 minutes despite Israel holding 64% of possession; a fuller breakdown of that match is available on our match page.
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