Closed-doors Madrid game shows Israel singled out while Arab-backed activism disrupts European sport unchecked.
Real Madrid confirmed that its EuroLeague fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv will be played behind closed doors at Movistar Arena, citing security concerns, Agence France-Presse reported. The decision followed a determination by Spain’s State Commission against Violence in Sport that the match constituted a “high-risk” event, a recommendation adopted by national police.
More than 250 organizations had urged suspension of the game, announcing plans for a rally outside the venue. Rather than defend sport from politicized intimidation, authorities opted to exclude fans—effectively penalizing the competition and normalizing pressure campaigns aimed squarely at Israeli teams.
The disruption fits a broader pattern in Spain, where pro-Palestinian Arab activism has repeatedly targeted Israeli athletes. Last year’s Vuelta a España was forced to cancel its Madrid finale and shorten stages after demonstrators entered the course—precedents that embolden further interference.
Political context matters. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has positioned Spain among Europe’s harshest critics of Israel, leveling accusations while downplaying Hamas’s responsibility for initiating and sustaining violence. His foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, has even floated sanctions against Israel—signals that reverberate into civic life, including sport.
Israel’s teams are not asking for special treatment—only equal rules. Sport thrives on neutrality, safety, and fair access for fans. When authorities shutter arenas for Israeli clubs while tolerating intimidation, they reward the loudest activists and punish athletes who have done nothing but compete.
Spain can still choose differently: protect sporting integrity, separate politics from play, and ensure that intimidation—often amplified by Arab-aligned campaigns—does not dictate who gets to compete in public.
