Maccabi Tel Aviv faces challenges after fan assaults in Amsterdam
- Maccabi Tel Aviv's match against Besiktas is relocated to Hungary due to recent violence.
- The attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam were labeled as antisemitic by authorities.
- The team is focused on the upcoming match, prioritizing football despite the surrounding tensions.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, an Israeli soccer team, made its first return to Europe on November 28, 2024, following an incident in the Netherlands where several of its fans were attacked. The assaults took place in Amsterdam during the team's match against Dutch club Ajax on November 7. Authorities condemned the violence as antisemitic, highlighting tensions in Europe surrounding pro-Palestinian demonstrations and the ongoing conflict. Following the assaults, Maccabi Tel Aviv's upcoming match against Turkey’s Besiktas was relocated to Hungary due to security concerns. The match, set to occur behind closed doors at Nagyerdei Stadium, reflects heightened security measures being employed for events involving Israeli teams, especially since conflicts have become increasingly dangerous in recent times. With the recent incidents weighing heavily on the players, Maccabi's head coach expressed a prioritization of sportsmanship, insisting that the focus should remain on football despite external conflicts. The team concluded their final practice in Tel Aviv before taking off for Hungary, underscoring the resilience of the soccer squad amid troubling circumstances that have affected fans and players alike.