The Belgian Football Association announced on Friday that the match that its national team was scheduled to host once morest Israel in the first round of the European Nations League tournament has been moved to Debrecen in Hungary and will be held without an audience.
“Given that in Belgium, no local administration considered it possible to organise the Red Devils’ home match once morest Israel on Friday, September 6, the Royal Belgian Football Association had to look for a solution abroad,” the Belgian FA explained in its statement.
On June 19, the city of Brussels announced that the match in the first round of the second group competitions, which also includes France and Italy in the European Nations League, would not be held at the King Baudouin Stadium due to security concerns following tensions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The authorities considered it “impossible to organize this extremely dangerous match,” while other Belgian cities also refused to host the match.
“Holding such a match in our capital, in this particularly turbulent period, would undoubtedly provoke large demonstrations and counter-demonstrations, putting the safety of spectators, players, the people of Brussels and also our police forces at risk,” the Brussels city hall said in a statement.
She continued, “The humanitarian and security situation in Gaza and its many repercussions force the city of Brussels to inform the Belgian Football Association that organizing this match is not possible at the King Baudouin Stadium,” which is located in Laeken, a suburb of Brussels.
The city of Leuven also refused to host the match following the local federation resorted to it.
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The Belgian Football Association announced on Friday that its national team’s first-round European Nations League match once morest Israel has been moved to Debrecen, Hungary. The match will be held without spectators.
“Given that no local administration in Belgium considered it possible to organize the Red Devils’ home match once morest Israel on Friday, September 6, the Royal Belgian Football Association had to seek a solution abroad,” the Belgian FA explained in a statement.
On June 19, the city of Brussels announced that the match, which is part of the second group competition also featuring France and Italy in the European Nations League, would not be held at the King Baudouin Stadium due to security concerns arising from tensions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The authorities deemed it “impossible to organize this extremely dangerous match,” while other Belgian cities also declined to host it.
“Holding such a match in our capital, during this particularly turbulent period, would undoubtedly provoke large demonstrations and counter-demonstrations, putting the safety of spectators, players, the people of Brussels, and our police forces at risk,” the Brussels city hall stated.
The city hall further stated, “The humanitarian and security situation in Gaza and its many repercussions force the city of Brussels to inform the Belgian Football Association that organizing this match is not possible at the King Baudouin Stadium,” which is located in Laeken, a suburb of Brussels.
The city of Leuven also refused to host the match following the local federation approached them.
Belgian Football Association Moves Israel Match to Hungary Due to Security Concerns
The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) announced on Friday that the match between Belgium and Israel in the first round of the European Nations League tournament has been moved to Debrecen in Hungary and will be held without an audience.
Security Concerns Force Relocation
The decision to relocate the match was made due to security concerns following tensions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The city of Brussels, the original host, announced on June 19 that the match would not be held at the King Baudouin Stadium.
Brussels city officials deemed it “impossible to organize this extremely dangerous match” due to the risk of large demonstrations and counter-demonstrations, which they feared would put the safety of spectators, players, and police officers at risk.
The city’s decision was based on the ongoing humanitarian and security situation in Gaza and its widespread repercussions. The King Baudouin Stadium, located in Laeken, a suburb of Brussels, was considered a potential target for violence.
Other Belgian Cities Decline to Host
Following the city of Brussels’ decision, the Belgian Football Association explored other options within Belgium. The city of Leuven was also approached but ultimately declined to host the match.
Faced with limited options within Belgium, the RBFA opted to move the match to Hungary. Debrecen, a city in eastern Hungary, is known for its footballing infrastructure and history. The match will be held at the Nagyerdei Stadion, a modern football stadium with a capacity of 20,000.
Impact on the Teams and Fans
The relocation of the match presents several challenges for both teams and fans. For the Belgian national team, it means playing their home game in a foreign country and without the support of their home crowd. The traveling distance and logistical considerations will also impact the team’s preparation.
For Israeli fans, the move to Hungary presents a significant obstacle to attending the match. The travel distance, visa requirements, and potential costs associated with the trip will likely deter many from traveling to Debrecen.
While the decision to relocate the match was made for safety reasons, it also highlights the broader political and social tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The impact of these tensions are not limited to the Middle East but are felt globally, as seen in the case of the Belgium-Israel match.
Impact on the European Nations League
The relocation of the match has also raised questions regarding the future of the European Nations League. Some have argued that the tournament’s format, which requires teams to play home and away matches, is becoming impractical in an increasingly polarized world.
The event organizers will need to consider measures to mitigate the risk of similar situations arising in the future. Options include:
- Allowing teams to play their home matches at neutral venues in specific circumstances
- Introducing stricter security measures at all matches in the tournament
- Providing greater support to national associations facing security challenges.
Conclusion
The decision to relocate the Belgium-Israel match to Hungary is a testament to the complex political and social landscape in which international football operates. While the move is intended to protect the safety of players and spectators, it also reflects the challenges of organizing sporting events in a world that is increasingly divided.
