Live Update arrow right icon From the Liveblog of Wednesday, July 12, 2023

UEFA to weigh sanctions after Israel-Malta match halted by ‘Palestine’ chant, flares

By AFP 12 July 2023, 9:31 pm 5 Edit
Flares fired onto the pitch at a soccer game between Maccabi Haifa and the Hamrun Spartans at Centenary Stadium in Malta, July 11, 2023. (Twitter video screenshot: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
Flares fired onto the pitch at a soccer game between Maccabi Haifa and the Hamrun Spartans at Centenary Stadium in Malta, July 11, 2023. (Twitter video screenshot: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings after Israeli side Maccabi Haifa’s Champions League qualifier against Hamrun Spartans in Malta was disrupted following chants of “Palestine, Palestine” by local fans.

Last night, with the visitors two goals up, tensions rose as Maccabi fans launched flares onto the pitch in the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali in Malta in response to the Maltese supporters’ chants. The game had to be stopped for 30 minutes.

UEFA, the governing body of European football charges both clubs over “throwing of objects” and “crowd disturbance” by their fans. Maccabi faces additional charges over “lighting of fireworks” and “acts of damage.”

Five Israeli supporters were arrested. Malta Today reports that two pleaded guilty today in a local magistrates court.

Maccabi won the match 4-0. The second leg is scheduled for July 18 in Israel.

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