Last season’s Israeli league runners-up, Maccabi Haifa, have announced that they will play their home matches in next season’s Europa Conference League at LKS Łódź’s stadium.
Another Israeli Premier League side, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, will also play their continental matches Łódź at Widzew’s stadium.
Supporters of both Łódź clubs have expressed strong displeasure following the announcement, particularly given they found out about the news via social media posts by the Israeli clubs.
The Union of European Football Associations announced in January that Israel will not be allowed to host any UEFA-sanctioned football matches until further notice, due to Israel’s war with Palestine.
Consequently, Maccabi had to find a replacement stadium. On Sunday, the club announced that it would play its home matches at the ŁKS Stadium.
Maccabi will begin their Europa Conference League campaign from the 2nd round. Matches are scheduled for this stage of competition for July 25 and August 1.
The draw will take place this Wednesday in Nyon. Interestingly, one of Maccabi’s potential opponents is Polish Ekstraklasa runners-up Śląsk Wrocław.
Before the backlash from fans dissipated, ŁKS’s fierce city rival Widzew Łódź confirmed that Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva will play their Europa Conference League home matches at their stadium.
The club also distanced themselves from the decision, similarly attributing the resolution to the Łódź local authorities.
The apparent decision by Łódź city council has led many fans to speculate that it was politically motivated, and many supporters expressed their displeasure at their club being associated with Israeli ones in light of the country’s war with Palestine.
Supporters of both Łódź clubs have expressed strong displeasure following the announcement, particularly given they found out about the news via social media posts by the Israeli clubs.
The Union of European Football Associations announced in January that Israel will not be allowed to host any UEFA-sanctioned football matches until further notice, due to Israel’s war with Palestine.
Consequently, Maccabi had to find a replacement stadium. On Sunday, the club announced that it would play its home matches at the ŁKS Stadium.
Supporters met the news with a barrage of criticism. ŁKS issued a communiqué stating that it had nothing to do with the decision and that it was made by the administrator of the facility, the management of the Municipal Arena of Culture and Sports (a part of Łódź city council).מארחים בפולין ⚽️🟢🇵🇱
— Maccabi Haifa FC (@mhfootballclub) June 16, 2024
הקבוצה תארח באצטדיון LKS בלודז’ את משחקי הבית במוקדמות הקונפרנס ליג. ההגרלה לסיבוב השני ביום רביעי הקרוב
כל הפרטים כאן >>> https://t.co/36FlgDkyaV 📱 | #יאללהמכבי pic.twitter.com/lXoo9shTcI
Maccabi will begin their Europa Conference League campaign from the 2nd round. Matches are scheduled for this stage of competition for July 25 and August 1.
The draw will take place this Wednesday in Nyon. Interestingly, one of Maccabi’s potential opponents is Polish Ekstraklasa runners-up Śląsk Wrocław.
Before the backlash from fans dissipated, ŁKS’s fierce city rival Widzew Łódź confirmed that Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva will play their Europa Conference League home matches at their stadium.
The club also distanced themselves from the decision, similarly attributing the resolution to the Łódź local authorities.
The apparent decision by Łódź city council has led many fans to speculate that it was politically motivated, and many supporters expressed their displeasure at their club being associated with Israeli ones in light of the country’s war with Palestine.
Source: TVP Sport
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