UEFA Opens Disciplinary Investigation After Controversial Banner in Football Match
NYON, Switzerland – UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings following the display of a banner by fans of an Israeli football club that has generated controversy and criticism, including that of the President of Poland and Israeli diplomats. The incident, which occurred during the match between Maccabi Haifa and Rakow Czestochowa in the UEFA Conference League, adds to the growing scrutiny over the expression of non-sporting themes in the realm of international football. The banner, with the slogan “Murderers since 1939” in English, was displayed by Maccabi Haifa supporters during the qualifying match against the Polish team Rakow. This action was quickly condemned by the President of Poland and the Israeli embassy in the country.The match between Maccabi Haifa and Rakow was played in Hungary, a neutral ground, for security reasons, a week after the first leg in Poland, where Rakow fans displayed a banner in Polish accusing Israel of murdering people and pointing out the world’s silence. UEFA announced that both clubs have been accused of “conveying an inappropriate message for a sporting event”, a case that will be judged by its disciplinary panel. No deadline has been set for the imposition of sanctions, which could include fines and the partial closure of the stadium in future matches. Rakow won Thursday’s match 2-0, eliminating Maccabi Haifa with a 2-1 aggregate score. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that it contacted the Israeli ambassador to the country, Yaakov Finkelstein.Polish President Karol Nawrocki called the banner on X “scandalous” and an offense to Polish victims of World War II, including three million Jews.
Karol Nawrocki
The Ministry also added that the Polish ambassador to Israel would discuss the incident with the Israeli government, emphasizing that Polish-Israeli relations should not, nor will they be, undermined by extremists. UEFA prohibits explicit political messages from fans or clubs in stadiums during its European competitions, although the organization itself has been the subject of criticism this week. On Wednesday, UEFA displayed the message “Stop killing children. Stop killing civilians” on the field before its Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham, which was played in Udine, Italy. UEFA stated that this was part of a campaign with its charitable foundation, which has projects to help children affected by conflicts in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Ukraine. In the post-match ceremony, two Palestinian refugee children in Italy from Gaza were presented. In the Champions League final held in Munich in May, PSG fans displayed a banner with the message “Stop the genocide in Gaza” in English. UEFA did not sanction the French club, owned by Qatar, for this display.The ambassador expressed his utmost indignation at the scandalous content of the banner displayed by Israeli fans and thanked the embassy for its firm condemnation.
Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
