Leuven mayor denies venue for Israeli side in upcoming Europa League tie
The mayor of Leuven refused permission for Union Saint-Gilloise to host Hapoel Beer-Sheva, forcing the Belgian club to seek an alternative stadium.
Union Saint-Gilloise, the Belgian league runner-up, intended to stage its Europa League fixture against Israeli champion Hapoel Beer-Sheva in Leuven because its Brussels stadium does not meet UEFA standards. On Monday, Leuven’s mayor, Mohamed Ridouani, announced that the city would not grant a permit, even for an empty stadium, invoking public-safety reasons and a broader stance against hosting Israeli teams. UEFA confirmed it had been informed of the municipal decision and stated that the responsibility to secure an alternative ground rests with Union, with details to follow in the coming days.
The ruling follows a UEFA directive issued after the October 2023 Hamas attacks, which has required Israeli clubs and national sides to play their European matches in neutral venues. Hapoel Beer-Sheva has already used venues in Hungary and Romania for recent Champions League qualifiers, making this the latest instance of an away match being relocated.
Why it matters
The refusal disrupts a scheduled European competition match and highlights how political tensions can affect sporting events.
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