In terms of sport, Union Berlin’s Europa League appearance against Maccabi Haifa was a success. But it shouldn’t have been so glorious in the spectator stands.
At the European Cup match in the Conference League between 1. FC Union Berlin and Maccabi Haifa, there are said to have been anti-Semitic actions by supporters of the Bundesliga soccer team. “In the mixed block we were threatened by Union fans, pelted with beer and insulted as ‘shitty Jews’, among other things,” complained the Young Forum of the German-Israeli Society on Thursday evening on Twitter. A Union fan tried to light an Israeli flag from a spectator. This was prevented by the intervention of plainclothes police.
Maccabi praises “great hospitality”
At the same time, according to the Junge Forum, other Berlin fans spoke out against the anti-Semitic behavior: “Thank you for the wave of solidarity online and to the Union fans who showed their solidarity with us in the stadium! Most of the Unioners welcomed Maccabi in a friendly manner celebrated football with them, “tweeted the platform for members of the German-Israeli Society between the ages of 14 and 35 on Friday morning. The organization nevertheless demanded consequences: “We also expect that #Antisemitism in the stadium will be dealt with consistently, so that this is still possible. For non-discriminatory football!”
1. FC Union Berlin replied to the allegations on Thursday evening, also via Twitter, and demanded that block and seat numbers be given immediately to identify the viewers concerned. On Friday, the club announced that it would give a statement on the incidents during the day. One looks for the contact to the persons concerned, it said from the association side. The Berlin police also want to comment on the events during the day. Uefa did not have any further information on the incidents on Friday morning. We are still waiting for the game delegate’s report. Union may face disciplinary proceedings.
Maccabi Haifa’s guest appearance, which Union Berlin won 3-0, was the first appearance by an Israeli soccer team in the Berlin Olympic Stadium built by the National Socialists. Union Berlin is not allowed to play its home games in its own stadium at the Alte Försterei in the Köpenick district due to UEFA regulations on spectator capacity.
Maccabi Haifa has not yet commented on the allegations, but praised the generally peaceful atmosphere. “Thank you for the great hospitality. It was an exciting game in front of your and also in front of our audience and also in this stadium that has its meaning. Thank you and see you again in Israel,” tweeted the Israeli champions.
During the game there was a predominantly euphoric mood among the 23,324 spectators. Around 1000 Haifa fans cheered their team on just as passionately as the Union fans their team. On match day, a high-ranking Iron delegation welcomed the guests from Israel in their own stadium. On Wednesday representatives from Maccabi Haifa visited the Holocaust memorial in Berlin and laid a wreath.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
