Israeli soccer club Hapoel Beer-Sheva to have no away fans in stadium for 2 Europa League games
Hapoel Beer-Sheva's players pose for the team picture before the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Hapoel Beer-Sheva and Dinamo Zagreb in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. Credit: AP/Andreea Alexandru
ALKMAAR, Netherlands — Israeli champion Hapoel Beer-Sheva will be without its fans for two away games in the Europa League this month.
Dutch club AZ Alkmaar said Wednesday that city authorities advised that the Oct. 15 game against Hapoel Beer-Sheva should be played without away fans in the stadium because of security reasons.
Hapoel Beer-Sheva’s game one week later away to Union Saint-Gilloise will now take place in Germany – without any fans from either team at Fortuna Düsseldorf’s stadium — because the mayor of Belgian town Leuven declined to host the Oct. 22 game as originally planned.
Israeli national and club teams have played all home games in European competitions in neutral countries for security reasons since October 2023, though away games have rarely been affected.
“AZ respects this decision and follows the instructions of the relevant authorities,” the Dutch club said. “The safety of supporters, employees, players and other stakeholders is paramount.”
In the Netherlands in November 2024, Ajax’s hosting of Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Europa League saw violent clashes in the streets of Amsterdam.
Belgian champion Union said last week it looked for an alternative to Leuven closer to Brussels to minimize travel for its fans.
Dinamo's Niko Galesic, right, kicks the ball next to Hapoel Beer-Sheva's Yonas Malede during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Hapoel Beer-Sheva and Dinamo Zagreb in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. Credit: AP/Andreea Alexandru
“Unfortunately, for security reasons, the latter was not possible,” Union said in a statement, adding “the match will have to be played behind closed doors.”
Hapoel Beer-Sheva was so close to qualifying for the Champions League
Hapoel Beer-Sheva is playing in the second-tier Europa League after being within minutes in August of qualifying for the marquee Champions League. The Israeli club conceded a stoppage-time goal at Sabah in the last qualifying round and then lost in extra time.
Playing home games in the Romanian capital Bucharest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva started the Europa League with a 0-0 draw against Dinamo Zagreb on Sept. 16.
Hapoel Beer-Sheva’s other away games are at Besiktas in Istanbul on Nov. 26 and at Bournemouth on England’s south coast on Jan. 28.
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