Summary: Ghent - Maccabi Tel Aviv 0:2/Sport1
Maccabi Haifa still does not know where it will host Gent next month and if it will be able to do so with an audience or not, but it seems quite certain that in the return match in the last 32 stage of the conference, it will be hosted in Belgium for a game behind closed doors.
Maccabi Haifa will host Gent on February 15th and host them in Belgium six days later, but the game will most likely be played without fans in the stadium - in fact, there may be two games in six days that will be played without spectators.
Unlike Maccabi Haifa which will probably be forced to migrate due to the war and it is doubtful that it will be able to get permission to play in the presence of fans because this will depend on the authorities of the country where it will host, Ghent will host without fans for security reasons, according to a decision made by the mayor of Ghent who is afraid of demonstrations and boycotts on the part of pro-Palestinians.
They will not be able to support their team in the game in Belgium.
Maccabi Haifa fans/Maor Alxalsi
"Considering the information we have received, many problems are expected," stated the spokesman for the mayor of Ghent, who confirmed that warnings were received regarding protests and disturbances on the part of pro-Palestinians, who are demanding that Magnet boycott Maccabi Haifa due to its being a team from Israel, "We have no possibility to create a buffer outside the stadium and it will be difficult It is very important to control the event, there is a great fear of disturbances and this is not only dangerous for the players, team members and fans, but may create additional sporting consequences, because Ghent may suffer a technical loss if the game cannot take place."
Ghent's security officer added in a message to the Belgian media: "This is a very painful decision, not only for the fans but also for the players and all the members of the team - we had to play for a long period without an audience during the Corona and now again, we were unlucky with the draws because already in the group stage we met Two teams from Israel and Ukraine and in Iceland we played on a frozen field."
The club's spokesperson confirmed to the Belgian media that fans who purchased tickets for the game will receive a refund.
Maccabi Tel Aviv played at the Ghent Stadium on October 5 in the group stage of the Conference League, two days before the war.
The rematch, Maccabi Tel Aviv's home game, was held in Serbia without an audience and at the end of it the Yellows secured first place at home en route to the round of 16, while Gent finished in second place and were drawn against Maccabi Haifa.
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