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Leuven mayor bans Europa League match against Israeli team

Created at 1 Sep · 3:52 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Leuven Mayor Mohamed Ridouani has barred a UEFA Europa League match between Union Saint-Gilloise and Hapoel Be’er Sheva from taking place in the city due to security concerns. The decision is linked to heightened tensions surrounding the war in Gaza.

Key Numbers

October 22scheduled date for the match

Who's Involved

Mohamed Ridouani
Mayor of Leuven who banned the match
Union Saint-Gilloise
Belgian club whose match was banned
Hapoel Be’er Sheva
Israeli team facing the ban
Leuven mayor bans Europa League match against Israeli team

↳ Why This Matters

The decision highlights the increasing politicization of sporting events involving Israeli clubs due to geopolitical conflicts, impacting team schedules and raising broader questions about safety and security in international competitions.

Key facts

  • Leuven Mayor Mohamed Ridouani banned a Europa League match between Union Saint-Gilloise and Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
  • The decision was based on security concerns and potential protests related to the war in Gaza.
  • The mayor stated that public safety could not be guaranteed.
  • This is not the first time Belgian authorities have blocked a match involving an Israeli team on security grounds.
  • Union Saint-Gilloise will need to find a new venue for the match scheduled for October 22.

Leuven Mayor Mohamed Ridouani has prohibited a UEFA Europa League match between Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise and Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva from being held in the city. The decision, announced on September 1, 2026, stems from security concerns heightened by the ongoing war in Gaza.

Ridouani stated that the ban was not motivated by opposition to Israel or antisemitism but by a lack of guarantee for public safety, citing the potential for protests. He categorically rejected the possibility of holding the game behind closed doors.

This action follows a pattern of security-related blocks on matches involving Israeli teams in Belgium. In 2024, Brussels refused to host a Nations League game between Belgium and Israel, which was eventually moved to Hungary. Ridouani himself had previously denied permission for national teams to play Israel at Leuven's Den Dreef stadium.

The match was scheduled to take place on October 22. Union Saint-Gilloise is currently using Leuven's Den Dreef stadium because its own ground in Brussels does not meet UEFA requirements, and it will now need to secure an alternative venue.

Frequently asked questions

Leuven Mayor Mohamed Ridouani banned the match due to security concerns and the potential for protests linked to the war in Gaza, stating public safety could not be guaranteed.

No, this is not the first time. Belgian authorities have previously blocked matches involving Israeli teams on security grounds, including a Nations League game in 2024.

The match was scheduled to be played in Leuven at the Den Dreef stadium, which Union Saint-Gilloise is using as a temporary home ground.

What Happens Next

01Union Saint-Gilloise will seek an alternative venue for the match.
02UEFA will likely address the venue change for the Europa League fixture.

How It Developed

Leuven Mayor Mohamed Ridouani barred a UEFA Europa League match between Union Saint-Gilloise and Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Ridouani cited security concerns and potential protests linked to the war in Gaza as reasons for the ban.
The mayor rejected hosting the match behind closed doors.
This follows previous instances of Belgian authorities blocking matches involving Israeli teams on security grounds.
Union Saint-Gilloise must find an alternative venue for the match scheduled for October 22.

Sources

T1
Leuven mayor bans Europa League match against Israeli teamPOLITICO Europe

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