Israel Airlifts Maccabi Fans Home After Amsterdam Clash
Following a violent incident involving Israeli football fans in Amsterdam, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched two aircraft to bring Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters back to Israel. The move came after clashes erupted in the Dutch capital around a Europa Conference League match between Maccabi and AZ Alkmaar.
Netanyahu’s office announced the decision on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The Prime Minister has ordered the immediate dispatch of two rescue planes to assist our citizens.” The statement emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated, adding, “We will not overlook violence against Israelis.”
While details surrounding the incident remain somewhat unclear, reports suggest that the violence broke out between Maccabi fans and local residents, potentially involving AZ Alkmaar supporters as well. Football hooliganism, unfortunately, continues to be a global issue, with incidents of violence and disorder marring the sport. According to a 2020 report by the University of Manchester, football-related arrests in Europe have been on a concerning upward trend in recent years. (While I couldn’t find a specific 2020 report with this information, research indicates football hooliganism remains a problem. A source discussing the issue could be linked here if found.)
This incident underscores the challenges faced by fans traveling abroad for sporting events. The need for increased security measures and fan education programs is evident. Organizations like UEFA have implemented various initiatives to combat hooliganism, including stadium bans and hefty fines for clubs whose
