The then Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the violence as “unbearable”. 13 months ago, there were riots during Maccabi Tel Aviv’s visit to Ajax Amsterdam that made headlines. Israeli fans were targeted, and pro-Palestinian youth in particular persecuted and mistreated them. Maccabi supporters are also said to have been provocative during clashes before the game. With the knowledge of these events, the police and VfB Stuttgart are intensively preparing for the Europa League duel with Maccabi on Thursday (6.45 p.m./RTL+). It will be anything but a normal football game.
Much stricter security measures
Even if there were no concrete findings of threat, the police are preparing for a “wide range of operational situations” including “terrorist scenarios”. Anti-Semitism should not be given any space. Several thousand officials – instead of the usual hundreds – are supposed to ensure the process.
When the representative of Baden-Württemberg’s state government against anti-Semitism, Michael Blume, expresses his “concern” before this match day, he has, as he says, the “organized hunt against Israeli people” in Amsterdam in mind. He has been warning for months that “open anti-Semitism is becoming radicalized.” Various actors would “try to exploit football for ideological purposes”.
Commando Cannstatt, one of VfB’s ultra groups, has no plans to do that. The group called for the game not to serve as a stage “for global political statements” given the complexity of the Middle East conflict. Other ultras, however, announced that they would boycott the game because of the restrictions. Maccabi will also be guests at SC Freiburg in the Europa League (January 22nd). Weeks in advance, an online petition was attempted to stir up sentiment against the Israeli club.
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Helicopters and laptops in “clear” plastic bags
In Stuttgart, spectators will have to prepare for significantly stricter controls with metal detectors on Thursday. Unusually, journalists are not allowed to bring a bag onto the stadium grounds – and are supposed to carry their laptop in a “clear” plastic bag. Helicopters are supposed to monitor the partially closed Stuttgart airspace.
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Anti-Semitic hostility in Germany has “intensified” since the terrorist attack by the Islamist Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023 and Israel’s massive reaction to it, said the President of the Jewish sports association TuS Makkabi Germany, Alon Meyer. Even after the ceasefire agreed in October, he classified it as “abnormally high”.
Football also a joy in times of war
But despite the high level of security, it is “a ray of hope” in dark times that such a game can take place and Israeli fans can travel to see it, said the Maccabi president. 1,000 to 2,000 fans are expected.
Just like VfB’s appearance a year ago, the Alba Berlin basketball team’s game against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague was anything but everyday sporting events. However, the feared anti-Israel riots did not materialize. And in basketball there are also signs of steps towards normalization. The Hamburg Towers were guests in Israel on Tuesday for the first EuroCup game since October 2023.
Fan exclusion is not an issue
Neither VfB nor Freiburg considered it appropriate to exclude the supporters. At Maccabi’s game in Birmingham against Aston Villa, an exclusion was initially announced due to safety concerns. After a back and forth, Maccabi ultimately voluntarily waived the guest contingent.
The fact that the city derby between Maccabi and local rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv in October was canceled at short notice due to security concerns also made headlines. Right-wing extremist Maccabi fans repeatedly attract attention with racist and anti-Arab slogans. This also applies to supporters of other football clubs in the country. According to observers, such incidents have increased sharply in the scene after the 2023 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.
Coach initially resigns because of Maccabi fans
However, Israel’s fan scene must be viewed in a differentiated manner. With only about 150 supporters, Maccabi’s ultra scene is manageable, said an expert on Israeli football who wants to stay in the background. Maccabi, as the most popular club in Israel, reflects Israeli society, but Israeli football is very male-dominated.
The team recently lost 6-0 to Lyon in the Europa League and is in second-to-last place. After the club’s several defeats, fans are angry – and there was an incident at the end of November after which Serbian coach Zarko Lazetic initially announced his resignation. According to Israeli media reports, dozens of hooligans had gathered in front of his apartment, insulted him and fired pyrotechnics.
Nevertheless, according to the media, Maccabi owner Mitch Goldhar convinced the 43-year-old to remain the team’s coach. The violent fans do not have the say in the club, concluded the Israeli news site “ynet”. In fact, the club also has a lot of moderate fans from different political camps.
In the end, sport should be the focus. “The MHP Arena is and remains a place for football,” said VfB CEO Alexander Wehrle. “Football should connect and not divide.”