Alkmaar mayor defends ban on Israeli club’s fans at AZ match

Mayor Anja Schouten in Alkmaar is facing scrutiny over her decision to ban Israeli club Hapoel Be'er Sheva supporters from attending a Europa League match against AZ at AFAS Stadium on October 15. This ban was implemented to prevent public disorder and following recent violence at Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Ajax in Amsterdam in November 2024.

Although Lawfare, a US-based pro-Israel legal group, claims it is examining potential legal action against the ban, Schouten maintains the decision is based on public order concerns and not political considerations. The decision specifically applies to Hapoel ticket holders and displays of support for the opposing club inside the stadium, not to Israeli nationals.

AZ confirmed no ticket sales occurred before the ban was imposed. Dutch football has previously banned away fans from home games when authorities deem the risk too high, such as Amsterdam's ban on Lazio fans in December 2024 and Enschede's reversal of a Besiktas supporter ban in the same year. UEFA typically requires clubs to offer 5% of tickets to visitors, but generally accepts bans like this one.

Other Dutch cities have dealt with Hapoel supporters differently, such as Leuven's mayor Mohamed Ridouani refusing to host the match due to safety concerns, and Besiktas playing its home match against Hapoel in Batumi, Georgia.