Spectators have been banned from a match between Scotland Women and Israel Women over “the potential for planned disruptions to the match” by protestors.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) announced next Friday’s European Championship qualifier at Hampden Park would be held behind closed doors following “updated intelligence” that the fixture had become a target for those who oppose Israel’s response to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.
The return fixture the following Tuesday was already due to take place without a crowd at a neutral venue in Hungary as part of a wider policy for Israeli sporting fixtures.
‘Help show Israel the red card’
Ticket sales for next Friday’s game had previously been limited to members of the official Scotland Supporters Club or to those to have attended previous women’s matches to reduce the risk of anti-Israeli protests.
But a total crowd ban was imposed amid intelligence that included a Facebook post last week from the so-called Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee (GGECommittee) openly soliciting for tickets.
It read: “Help us show Israel the red card at Hampden Park on the 31st of May.
“We are looking for tickets for the Scotland v Israel game on 31st May! Can you please help?
“The strict criteria means only those who have attended one of the previous women’s games or are in the supporters club can apply!”
An Israeli FA spokesman told Telegraph Sport: “Regarding the match in Glasgow, the decision was made by the hosting FA and we don’t have any problem with it.
“We are hosting our women’s matches at the moment away from home and behind closed doors.
“We have full confidence in the Scottish FA and the decision-makers. We are not intimidated by anything, but full of appreciation to our opponents.”
Celtic fans’ support for Hamas
The Glasgow-based GGECommittee has previously held anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrations there and in Edinburgh, including two last week.
It also plans a ‘Day of Action’ in the former city on Saturday.
Two weeks ago, it staged a protest outside Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, where demonstrators held placards that featured the Uefa logo and read: “Show Israeli genocide the red card”.
Football in Glasgow had already been dragged into the war in Gaza courtesy of hardcore Celtic supporters’ long-held support for the Palestinian cause.
The ‘Green Brigade’ was widely condemned for banners held aloft before the Scottish champions’ win over Kilmarnock on October 7, which read: “Free Palestine. Victory to the resistance.”
Celtic have been repeatedly punished by Uefa for the group’s displays of Palestine flags and the club banned their ultras from matches at the end of October – stressing the move was because of wider unacceptable behaviour.
The ban was lifted in December after the group agreed to comply with a new code of conduct.
Fifa discussing Israel’s future
Last week, the president of Fifa, Gianni Infantino, confirmed it would hold an urgent meeting to decide if Israel should be thrown out of world football over its response to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.
Infantino confirmed football’s world governing body would carry out a “legal assessment” of the matter following a proposal submitted by the Palestine Football Association (PFA) for inclusion on the agenda for its annual congress in Bangkok.
The proposal, which was backed by the FAs of Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Yemen, was not put to a vote of Fifa member associations, with Infantino revealing the issue would be decided upon at an emergency meeting of the organisation’s council in late July.
Supporters to get refunds
The SFA said in a statement: “Due to updated intelligence and following extensive security consultations with all key parties, the Scottish FA regrets to confirm that the forthcoming Uefa Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier between Scotland and Israel at Hampden Park on May 31 will now be played behind closed doors.
“The away fixture, due to be played in Hungary on June 4, will also be played behind closed doors.
“The stadium operations team were alerted to the potential for planned disruptions to the match and as a consequence we have no option but to play the match without supporters in attendance.
“Measures are in place to provide an automatic and full refund to those supporters who have already purchased tickets for this match.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the decision but the safety of supporters, players, team staff and officials is of paramount importance.”
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