National Security Council Intervenes in Security of Hapoel Tel Aviv Fans at Match in Poland

Although Hapoel Tel Aviv will play this evening in the Conference League qualification return leg in Poland, following their 2-0 victory last week against Katowice, there is extreme tension behind the scenes. This has led to the involvement of the Israeli National Security Council and special preparations alongside international and local security organizations, due to fears of friction with one of the most violent fan bases in Europe.

The match is defined as high-risk, and therefore an increased covert and overt security array has been created, including around the team itself. 500 'Reds' are already in Poland ahead of the return leg (19:00), to which about ten thousand Katowice fans are expected to arrive.

Threats to harm Israelis were identified on social media, leading to an exceptional alert from senior security officials from both countries, along with the involvement of Interpol. The fear is of an attack by the Katowice ultras, a fascist, antisemitic, and anti-Israel organization also known for criminal activity. Its members have already threatened to attack Israelis in the city and have recently uploaded posts containing Nazi symbols. Last month, a friendly match between Katowice and Maccabi Netanya was scheduled, but it was cancelled due to fears of clashes.

On the pitch, Hapoel Tel Aviv arrives with a significant advantage. The team under Eliniv Barda is expected to start with the same lineup as a week ago. The club is still examining options for reinforcement, including backup for the left-back position and possibly a replacement for Xande Silva.

A victory will send the 'Reds' to a meeting next week in Hungary with the Italian side Atalanta in the Conference League playoffs, with the return leg taking place a week later in Bergamo.