Maccabi Tel Aviv Boss Condemns Falsehoods and Confirms Efforts Against Racism
More than 700 police officers are set to be deployed for the upcoming Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv, amid expected protests by Palestinian and Israeli groups.
Statements from Maccabi Tel Aviv's CEO
Jack Angelides, the chief executive of Maccabi Tel Aviv, condemned the spreading of "falsehoods" and hatred directed at their fans, which led to a ban on their supporters attending the match at Aston Villa's stadium.
"We feared for the safety of our fans and it's a huge responsibility," Angelides said during an interview at Villa Park.
He also highlighted the need to reduce inflammatory rhetoric ahead of the game, emphasizing the importance of managing incitement to ensure safety.
Ban on Maccabi Supporters
The club has not received a clear explanation from Birmingham officials regarding the supporters' ban. Despite government efforts to overturn the decision, Maccabi declared they would refuse any allocation of tickets offered.
"[With] a lot of incitement, we didn't feel comfortable in taking that allocation and that's a sad day in football because things like that shouldn't happen," Angelides added.
Balancing Freedom of Speech and Condemning Hate
Angelides acknowledged the importance of freedom of speech but stressed it does not extend to promoting hatred.
"People have the right to freedom of speech, absolutely, but people don't have the right to spew hatred."
Security and Protests
- Over 700 police officers will be on duty during the match.
- Protests by Palestinian and Israeli groups are expected outside Villa Park.
Club's Position on Racism
The Maccabi CEO admitted the club still has "work to do to eradicate racism" among its fan base, indicating a commitment to improving the atmosphere around their supporters.
Summary: Maccabi Tel Aviv's CEO condemned false accusations against fans, acknowledged ongoing efforts to combat racism, and explained rejection of ticket allocations amid heightened security for the Europa League match.
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