Belgium’s Leuven mayor refuses to host Europa League match against Israeli club

The mayor of the Belgian city of Leuven, Mohamed Ridouani, has refused to allow Belgian football club Union Saint-Gilloise to host Israeli side Hapoel Beer Sheva at the city’s Den Dreef Stadium in a UEFA Europa League match scheduled for Oct. 22, Anadolu reports.

Ridouani cited public safety and security concerns for his decision, saying the match could not be held in Leuven even behind closed doors, Belgian daily Le Soir reported on Tuesday.

“Union is welcome here, but in this specific case, it’s an Israeli team, and I’m consistent on that point,” Ridouani said during a municipal council meeting.

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He recalled that he had previously refused to allow Belgium’s women’s national team to play Israel in Leuven.

He also referred to a Nations League fixture in which Belgium’s men’s national team played Israel in Hungary rather than Belgium.

Union Saint-Gilloise confirmed that it had taken note of the decision and said it was consulting with the relevant authorities and organizations to find an alternative solution.

The club must now find another venue for its Europa League home fixture against Hapoel Beer Sheva.

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