{
  "id": 5490495,
  "title": "Belgian mayor blocks Hapoel Beersheba Europa League match over alleged safety concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/belgian-mayor-blocks-hapoel-beersheba-europa-league-match-over",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T04:46:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-907570"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Belgian Mayor Mohamed Ridouani has blocked Hapoel Beersheba from playing a Europa League match in Leuven due to alleged safety concerns. The match, scheduled for October 22, is now in doubt. Ridouani stated that while he welcomes Union Saint-Gilloise to play in the city, he remains consistent in his stance that an Israeli team such as Hapoel Beersheba should not hold a match there. This decision mirrors a ban he previously imposed on the Belgian women's national team from playing against Israel in the city, forcing it to relocate. Ridouani emphasized that even playing the match without spectators would not resolve the safety issue, as people may still attend the stadium. The Belgian club has responded by stating they are in discussions with Leuven Municipality to find a solution. This ban comes amidst growing concerns over the safety of Israeli fans traveling with Hapoel Beersheba, following opposition from pro-Palestinian organizations to their upcoming match against Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.",
  "summary": "The mayor emphasized that holding the match without spectators would not be a solution, saying, “Even then, there is still a risk that people will come to the stadium anyway.”",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Politico EU",
        "title": "Leuven mayor bans Europa League match against Israeli team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/leuven-mayor-bans-europa-league-match-against-israeli-team",
        "published": "2026-09-01T15:47:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Belgian mayor blocks club from hosting Israeli opponent in Europa League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/belgian-mayor-blocks-club-from-hosting-israeli-opponent-in-europa",
        "published": "2026-09-01T18:35:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}