Demands are growing for the expulsion of Israeli basketball team Maccabi Tel Aviv from the European Basketball Championship, as outrage mounts over the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Since the Israeli aggression began 15 months ago, Israeli teams have been forced to play their home matches at neutral venues, with competing teams refusing to travel to "Israel."
The Croatian newspaper Telegram criticised Maccabi's continued participation in the tournament, highlighting widespread discontent among fans and clubs. It argued that the inclusion of the Israeli team, amid the atrocities in Gaza, poses a significant security risk and contradicts the exclusion of Russian teams over the Ukraine conflict.
“If Russian teams are banned due to aggression in Ukraine, then Maccabi’s participation, given Israel’s crimes in Gaza, is an even greater issue,” the report stated. It also condemned the European Basketball Federation for ignoring calls from prominent clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Fenerbahçe to suspend Maccabi.
Fans across Europe have voiced opposition, with Paris Saint-Germain supporters announcing a boycott of their team’s match against Maccabi in solidarity with humanitarian values. Many fear that if Maccabi reaches the finals in Berlin, it could result in a logistical and security nightmare.
The newspaper concluded by praising Panathinaikos for defeating Maccabi, allowing the EuroLeague community to momentarily avoid what it called “one of the most dangerous sporting events on the planet.”
Source : Safa News
