Tensions between Polish and Israeli soccer fans exploded after a Conference League clash, as rocks were hurled at a Maccabi Haifa supporters’ bus. Meanwhile, UEFA faces accusations of double standards and antisemitism after banning hostage-awareness signs while promoting anti-Israel messaging.
The deepening intersection of European football and Middle East politics turned violent Thursday night in Poland, when Raków Częstochowa fans pelted a bus carrying Maccabi Haifa supporters with rocks, shattering windows and heavily damaging the vehicle.
The Israeli fans were on their way to the airport following Raków’s Conference League qualifying victory, when the attack occurred. Footage and eyewitness reports confirmed the assault.
Banner War: ‘Murderers Since 1939’ vs. ‘Israel Murders’
The violence followed an escalating war of words and banners between the two fan bases:
- In the first leg in Israel, Raków fans unfurled a banner reading: “Israel murders and the world is silent.”
- In Thursday’s return match in Poland, Maccabi Haifa supporters responded with a banner stating: “Murderers since 1939,” referencing Poland’s WWII-era complicity in atrocities.
The retaliation enraged many in Poland, prompting Polish President Karol Nawrocki — known for his Holocaust revisionist views — to issue a statement:
“The scandalous banner displayed by Maccabi Haifa fans insults the memory of Polish citizens — victims of World War II, including 3 million Jews. Stupidity that no words can justify.”
Polish Football Federation chief Cezary Kulesza vowed to lodge a complaint with UEFA over the banner.
UEFA’s Hypocrisy? Hostage Signs Banned, Anti-Israel Message Displayed
The incident comes as UEFA faces mounting accusations of double standards and antisemitism. Just days earlier, UEFA placed a massive banner on the pitch ahead of the PSG vs. Tottenham Super Cup in Italy reading:
“Stop killing children. Stop killing civilians.”
Yet, at Thursday’s Beitar Jerusalem vs. Riga match in Bucharest, UEFA barred the family of Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski — kidnapped by Hamas nearly two years ago — from holding signs calling for his release.
The banned signs featured Rom’s photo alongside messages such as:
- “I want my brother”
- “Bring back Rom”
- “The voice of my brother’s blood is calling to me from the tunnels — Bring Rom and the rest of our hostages home”
Family’s Fury
Rom’s brother Amir Braslavski condemned UEFA’s decision:
“Yesterday, UEFA displayed a huge banner calling to stop killing children and civilians, but today they prevent us from holding signs calling for Rom to come home. This is not just hypocrisy — it’s antisemitism. When it comes to a living, kidnapped Jew, they prefer to silence the message and look away.”
Amir demanded UEFA reverse what he called a “shameful” policy and allow hostage-awareness signs at matches until Rom and the other captives are freed.
