Real Madrid to host Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv without spectators
Real Madrid confirmed on Monday that their EuroLeague basketball fixture against Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv will take place without spectators present at the Movistar Arena this Thursday, reports BritPanorama.
The decision to bar fans from the match is attributed to security concerns. The State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance in Sport deemed the game high-risk, leading the National Police to recommend that spectators not attend.
Supporters who had purchased tickets will receive full refunds. The arrangement signifies ongoing tensions concerning sporting events involving Israeli teams, which have been met with significant scrutiny.
More than 250 organizations had called for the match’s outright cancellation, citing Israel’s military operations in Gaza. These groups are organizing a demonstration outside the arena in tandem with Thursday’s fixture.
This closed-doors arrangement stems from a balance between calls for complete cancellation and the desire to uphold scheduled EuroLeague competition. Similar scenarios have unfolded in the Spanish sporting world, with teams like Barcelona also set to host Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv under identical restrictions.
In recent years, Spain has seen an increase in protests targeting Israeli athletes, reflecting heightened pro-Palestinian sentiment. Matches involving Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv faced unique challenges, including staging fixtures at neutral venues due to continuous protests. Security measures are set to affect Israeli basketball clubs not only in Spain but across Europe.
Real Madrid currently stands in tenth position in the EuroLeague with eleven victories, while Maccabi occupies fourteenth place with eight wins this season.
Ultimately, this episode highlights the complexity entwining sport and politics, a reminder that even in the arena, challenges can transcend far beyond the court.
