Israeli champions Hapoel Beer-Sheva are set to play two upcoming Europa League away fixtures without their travelling supporters. This decision comes amid security concerns for their matches later this month.
Dutch side AZ Alkmaar announced that municipal officials recommended excluding visiting fans from their fixture on 15 October due to safety concerns. AZ stated they respect this decision, prioritising the safety of all stakeholders.
A week later, Hapoel Beer-Sheva's away fixture against Union Saint-Gilloise on 22 October has been relocated to Germany. The mayor of Leuven, Belgium, refused to host the match, leading to it being held behind closed doors at Fortuna Düsseldorf’s ground.
This follows previous incidents, including violent street clashes in Amsterdam when Ajax hosted Maccabi Tel-Aviv in November 2024. Maccabi Tel-Aviv fans were also banned from an away match against Aston Villa last season due to the fixture being classified as high risk.