The Kosovo-Israel match, initially scheduled for October 15, was postponed because of Israeli authorities banned their representation from traveling abroad country. The Israel-Switzerland match, originally scheduled for October 12, is scheduled to take place on November 15 at a neutral stadium because UEFA has decided that due to the very tense situation in Israel and security issues, all matches under its aegis will not be played in the country “until appeals”.
After carefully assessing the current safety and security situation across Israel, the UEFA Executive Committee has decided that no UEFA competition matches will take place in Israel until further notice
~ provided in the announcement regarding the Israeli national team.
Scandalous behavior of fans, demonstrations before the match
The match against Kosovo was difficult for Israel not only in terms of sports. In a country where the majority of inhabitants are Muslims, they could not count on a particularly warm welcome. It was already hot before the match, they were protecting the Israeli team Kosovo special servicesbecause they were afraid of attacks. On one of the skyscrapers in Pristina, where the match was played, a group of activists hung a huge Palestinian flag.
As soon as the players emerged from the tunnel onto the pitch, they were greeted by loud whistles. Although there were few spectators in the stadium, they were clearly heard. It was the same during the Israeli anthem, which remained drowned out by the terrifying stars. The fans also booed and whistled every time the visiting players touched the ball.
This scandalous behavior of Kosovar fans was predictable, such scenes had already occurred in this country in the past, and the arrival of Israel, which is at war with Palestine, aroused additional emotions.
Demonstration of Israeli football players during the anthem
While singing the anthem, Israeli footballers also decided to demonstrate. Everyone placed their hands in a half-heart shape, paying tribute hostages held by Hamas. This gesture was intended to symbolize that without their return, Israeli hearts would be broken.
The meeting, which had a lot of political overtones, started with scenes that we would not want to see in football stadiums. However, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict arouses so much emotion that Israeli representatives must prepare for something similar in subsequent meetings.
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