The city of Brussels refuses to host a match between teams from Belgium and Israel because it is high risk

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BRUSSELS, June 19 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The city of Brussels announced this Wednesday its refusal to organize the men’s Nations League match that will face the Belgian and Israeli soccer teams on September 6, considering that the “humanitarian and security” situation in Gaza They turn the meeting into a “very high risk” date.

This was communicated by the city council in a note, arguing that the team’s matches in Brussels “have always been moments of meeting and unity”, but that “the humanitarian and security situation in Gaza and its numerous repercussions” They make it “impossible” to organize this match at the King Baudouin Stadium, where the Belgian team usually plays.

The authorities in the Belgian capital have pointed out that, at a “particularly turbulent” time, it is likely that the match “will undoubtedly provoke major demonstrations and counter-demonstrations, which would compromise the safety of spectators, players, inhabitants of Brussels and also that of security forces”.

The Belgian Football Union (URBSFA), in another press release, has regretted this situation – Louvain also refused to host the match days ago – but has indicated that it “understands and shares the concern” about the situation in the Middle East and the “consequences on safety.”

“We know that the match will probably be played without an audience and we accept it. Safety always prevails,” concluded the URBSFA statement reported in the Belgian press. In addition to Israel and Belgium, the qualifying group also includes France and Italy, so the Israeli team has other matches scheduled in Europe.