Security Obstacle to UEFA Europa League Match from Mayor of Leuven
The mayor of Leuven, Belgium, did not approve the Union Saint-Gilloise and Hapoel Beer Sheva match citing public safety reasons.
Leuven Mayor Mohamed Ridouani announced that he did not allow the UEFA Europa League match between Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise and Israel's Hapoel Beer Sheva to be played at Den Dreef Stadium due to security reasons.
No Permission for the Match in Leuven
Mohamed Ridouani, the mayor of the Belgian city of Leuven, did not allow Den Dreef Stadium in the city to host the UEFA Europa League match between his country's team Union Saint-Gilloise and Israel's Hapoel Beer Sheva team.
Even Playing Behind Closed Doors Was Not Accepted
According to reports in the Belgian press, Ridouani noted to officials that the match on October 22 cannot be played even behind closed doors due to public safety.
Statements in the City Council
Speaking at the city council meeting, Ridouani stated that while Union Saint-Gilloise would be welcomed in the city with pleasure, the team in question in this specific situation is the Israeli representative, and he has acted consistently on this matter.
Past Similar Decisions
Referring to the Belgian National Team playing its Nations League match against Israel in Hungary in 2024, Ridouani recalled that the Belgian Women's National Team's match against Israel had previously not been permitted in Leuven either.
Stadium Standards and Plans
The Union Saint-Gilloise club planned to play its 4 home matches in the Europa League in Leuven because its own stadium does not meet UEFA's European competition standards.