Uefa Failed to Investigate Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans' Racism in Amsterdam
After Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters rampaged through Amsterdam, tearing down Palestine flags and chanting “fuck the Arabs,” Europe’s football authority pledged to investigate the incident. However, a year later, with another contentious match approaching, no visible investigation has taken place, reports Simon Childs.
Allegations of Broken Promises
Campaigners claim football authorities have neglected their promise to probe racist behavior by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans during the Amsterdam incident last November. These claims arise just before the Israeli team’s upcoming match against Aston Villa on Thursday.
Political Tensions Around the Match
The fixture has become politically charged after the local council banned Maccabi fans from attending, a decision criticized by culture secretary Lisa Nandy as one that “chooses exclusion” of Jewish people. However, the ban was reportedly based on police assessments of genuine risks linked to the event—risks football authorities seemingly overlooked.
FairSquare’s Complaint to Uefa
FairSquare, an international nonprofit advocating for improved football governance, accused Uefa last month of abandoning its commitment to investigate the racist acts of Maccabi fans in Amsterdam. In a letter reviewed by Novara Media, FairSquare highlighted that after the violence, Uefa had initially promised to:
“examine all official reports, gather available evidence, assess them and evaluate any further appropriate course of action in accordance with its relevant regulatory framework.”
Current Status
Despite the initial commitment, no further public action or investigation from Uefa has become evident, raising concerns over accountability and the handling of racism in European football.
Author’s summary: Uefa’s failure to investigate racist incidents by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam reveals a lack of follow-through on anti-racism commitments, heightening political tensions ahead of upcoming matches.