Latest news with #RakowCzestochowa
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel football fans' ‘murderers' banner causes outrage in Poland at Europa Conference game
Israeli football fans sparked outrage in Poland after displaying a banner reading "Murderers since 1939" during a Europa Conference League match against a Polish team on Thursday. The provocative message, prominently unfurled by supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Haifa during their fixture against Rakow Czestochowa in Debrecen, Hungary, drew immediate condemnation from Polish officials. The game was played in Hungary for security reasons. Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a former head of the country's Institute of National Remembrance, took to X to express his dismay. "The scandalous banner displayed by Maccabi Haifa fans insults the memory of Polish citizens - victims of World War Two, including 3 million Jews," he wrote, adding: "Stupidity that no words can justify." Marcin Kierwinski, Poland's Interior Minister, echoed the sentiment, stating: "Anti-Polonism and the scandalous distortion of Polish history by Israeli hooligans demand strong condemnation." The Israeli Embassy in Warsaw also condemned the banner, asserting: "There is no place for such words and actions, from any side, neither at the stadium nor anywhere else. Never! These shameful incidents do not reflect the spirit of the majority of Israeli fans." The year 1939 marks the beginning of the Second World War, during which Poland was occupied by Nazi Germany. The country's 3.2 million Jewish population, the largest in Europe at the war's outset, was almost entirely annihilated, many in Nazi German death camps. A further 3 million non-Jewish Polish citizens also perished during the occupation. Historical disputes surrounding the Second World War and the Holocaust have frequently strained relations between Poland and Israel. While studies have indicated complicity by some Poles in the killing of Jews by Nazi Germany, many Poles vehemently reject such findings, viewing them as an attempt to dishonour a nation that suffered immensely. The banner may have been a response to one displayed by fans of the Polish club during last week's first leg, which read: "Israel is killing and the world is silent," referencing the ongoing conflict in Gaza. That conflict began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's subsequent offensive against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. Europe's football governing body, UEFA, has initiated disciplinary proceedings against both clubs for "transmitting a message not fit for a sports event." Maccabi Haifa have also been charged with improper conduct. Rakow Czestochowa won the second leg 2-0, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory to qualify for the playoffs later this month.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Israel football fans' ‘murderers' banner causes outrage in Poland at Europa Conference game
Israeli football fans sparked outrage in Poland after displaying a banner reading "Murderers since 1939" during a Europa Conference League match against a Polish team on Thursday. The provocative message, prominently unfurled by supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Haifa during their fixture against Rakow Czestochowa in Debrecen, Hungary, drew immediate condemnation from Polish officials. The game was played in Hungary for security reasons. Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a former head of the country's Institute of National Remembrance, took to X to express his dismay. "The scandalous banner displayed by Maccabi Haifa fans insults the memory of Polish citizens - victims of World War Two, including 3 million Jews," he wrote, adding: "Stupidity that no words can justify." Marcin Kierwinski, Poland's Interior Minister, echoed the sentiment, stating: "Anti-Polonism and the scandalous distortion of Polish history by Israeli hooligans demand strong condemnation." The Israeli Embassy in Warsaw also condemned the banner, asserting: "There is no place for such words and actions, from any side, neither at the stadium nor anywhere else. Never! These shameful incidents do not reflect the spirit of the majority of Israeli fans." The year 1939 marks the beginning of the Second World War, during which Poland was occupied by Nazi Germany. The country's 3.2 million Jewish population, the largest in Europe at the war's outset, was almost entirely annihilated, many in Nazi German death camps. A further 3 million non-Jewish Polish citizens also perished during the occupation. Historical disputes surrounding the Second World War and the Holocaust have frequently strained relations between Poland and Israel. While studies have indicated complicity by some Poles in the killing of Jews by Nazi Germany, many Poles vehemently reject such findings, viewing them as an attempt to dishonour a nation that suffered immensely. The banner may have been a response to one displayed by fans of the Polish club during last week's first leg, which read: "Israel is killing and the world is silent," referencing the ongoing conflict in Gaza. That conflict began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's subsequent offensive against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. Europe's football governing body, UEFA, has initiated disciplinary proceedings against both clubs for "transmitting a message not fit for a sports event." Maccabi Haifa have also been charged with improper conduct. Rakow Czestochowa won the second leg 2-0, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory to qualify for the playoffs later this month.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
UEFA charges Israeli and Polish clubs over political fan banners that raised diplomatic tension
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA opened a disciplinary case Friday after an Israeli soccer club's fans displayed a banner targeting Poland that was criticized by the Polish president and diplomats from Israel. Fallout from the Maccabi Haifa vs. Rakow Czestochowa game Thursday in UEFA's Conference League adds to current scrutiny around non-sporting issues being aired at international soccer. The slogan 'Murderers since 1939' in English was shown by Maccabi Haifa fans at a qualifying game in UEFA's Conference League against Polish team Rakow. It was quickly condemned by the president of Poland and Israel's embassy in the country. Polish President Karol Nawrocki posted on X the banner was 'scandalous' and an insult to Polish victims of World War Two including three million Jews. Maccabi Haifa and Rakow played the game in neutral Hungary — instead of Israel for security reasons — one week after the first leg in Poland. There, Rakow fans showed a banner in Polish saying Israel was murdering people and the world was silent. UEFA said Friday both clubs have been charged with 'transmitting a message not fit for a sports event' in a case that will be judged by its disciplinary panel. No timetable was given for imposing sanctions which could be fines and closing part of a stadium at a future game. Rakow won 2-0 Thursday and eliminated Maccabi Haifa 2-1 on aggregate score. The Polish government's foreign ministry said Friday it had spoken with Israel's ambassador to the country, Yaakov Finkelstein. 'He expressed his utmost outrage at the scandalous content of a banner displayed by the Israeli fans and thanked for its firm condemnation by the embassy,' the Polish ministry said in a statement. Poland's ambassador in Israel also was set to discuss the incident with Israel's government, the ministry said, adding: 'Polish-Israeli relations must not, and will not, be undermined by extremists.' UEFA does not allow overt political messaging by fans or clubs in stadiums at European competition games it organizes but was itself criticized this week. On Wednesday, UEFA displayed the message 'Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians' on the field before its showpiece Super Cup game between the Champion League title holder Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winner Tottenham, played at Udine, Italy. UEFA said it was part of a campaign with its charitable foundation that has projects helping children affected by conflicts also in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine. When the PSG and Tottenham players were presented with their medals, the post-game ceremony involved two Palestinian children who are refugees in Italy from Gaza. At the Champions League final played in Munich in May, PSG fans displayed a banner 'Stop Genocide in Gaza' in English. UEFA did not punish the Qatari-owned French club for the display. ___ AP soccer:
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
UEFA charges Israeli and Polish clubs over political fan banners that raised diplomatic tension
NYON, Switzerland — UEFA opened a disciplinary case Friday after an Israeli soccer club's fans displayed a banner targeting Poland that was criticized by the Polish president and diplomats from Israel. Fallout from the Maccabi Haifa vs. Rakow Czestochowa game Thursday in UEFA's Conference League adds to current scrutiny around non-sporting issues being aired at international soccer. The slogan 'Murderers since 1939' in English was shown by Maccabi Haifa fans at a qualifying game in UEFA's Conference League against Polish team Rakow. It was quickly condemned by the president of Poland and Israel's embassy in the country. Polish President Karol Nawrocki posted on X the banner was 'scandalous' and an insult to Polish victims of World War Two including three million Jews. Maccabi Haifa and Rakow played the game in neutral Hungary — instead of Israel for security reasons — one week after the first leg in Poland. There, Rakow fans showed a banner in Polish saying Israel was murdering people and the world was silent. UEFA said Friday both clubs have been charged with 'transmitting a message not fit for a sports event' in a case that will be judged by its disciplinary panel. No timetable was given for imposing sanctions which could be fines and closing part of a stadium at a future game. Rakow won 2-0 Thursday and eliminated Maccabi Haifa 2-1 on aggregate score. The Polish government's foreign ministry said Friday it had spoken with Israel's ambassador to the country, Yaakov Finkelstein. 'He expressed his utmost outrage at the scandalous content of a banner displayed by the Israeli fans and thanked for its firm condemnation by the embassy,' the Polish ministry said in a statement. Poland's ambassador in Israel also was set to discuss the incident with Israel's government, the ministry said, adding: 'Polish-Israeli relations must not, and will not, be undermined by extremists.' UEFA does not allow overt political messaging by fans or clubs in stadiums at European competition games it organizes but was itself criticized this week. On Wednesday, UEFA displayed the message 'Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians' on the field before its showpiece Super Cup game between the Champion League title holder Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winner Tottenham, played at Udine, Italy. UEFA said it was part of a campaign with its charitable foundation that has projects helping children affected by conflicts also in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine. When the PSG and Tottenham players were presented with their medals, the post-game ceremony involved two Palestinian children who are refugees in Italy from Gaza. At the Champions League final played in Munich in May, PSG fans displayed a banner 'Stop Genocide in Gaza' in English. UEFA did not punish the Qatari-owned French club for the display. ___ AP soccer:
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israeli fans cause outrage in Poland with 'murderers' banner
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox WARSAW - Israeli soccer fans held up a banner reading "Murderers since 1939" during a match against a Polish team on Thursday, causing outrage in Poland as the president said it insulted the memory of Poles, including Jews, killed in World War Two. Poland was occupied by Nazi Germany in World War Two. The country's 3.2 million Jewish population was the largest in Europe at the start of the war. Almost all were killed, many of them in Nazi German death camps, and a further 3 million non-Jewish citizens also died during the occupation. Historical disputes over World War Two and the Holocaust have strained relations between Poland and Israel in the past. Studies have shown complicity by some Poles in the killing of Jews by Nazi Germany, but many Poles reject such findings, saying they are an attempt to dishonour a country that suffered immensely during the war. The "Murderers since 1939" banner was displayed prominently across a row of seats by fans of Israeli club Maccabi Haifa during their Europa Conference League match against Rakow Czestochowa, which was played in Debrecen in Hungary for security reasons. "The scandalous banner displayed by Maccabi Haifa fans insults the memory of Polish citizens - victims of World War Two, including 3 million Jews," Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a former head of the country's Institute of National Remembrance, wrote on X. "Stupidity that no words can justify." Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said "Anti-Polonism and the scandalous distortion of Polish history by Israeli hooligans demand strong condemnation". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran after judge cites judicial mercy Singapore Why was Ong Beng Seng fined instead of jailed? Key points from the case Singapore ICA to review Ong Beng Seng's PR status after he is fined for abetting obstruction of justice Singapore Drug trafficker gets death sentence commuted after President Tharman grants clemency Asia Former China envoy to Singapore Sun Haiyan reappears after reported questioning Life Founder of Singapore Symphony Orchestra Choo Hoey dies Singapore Father of 4 among S'poreans arrested in CNB raids; drugs worth over $128k seized The Israeli Embassy in Warsaw also condemned the banner. "There is no place for such words and actions, from any side, neither at the stadium nor anywhere else. Never!" the embassy wrote on X. "These shameful incidents do not reflect the spirit of the majority of Israeli fans." The banner may have been made in response to one displayed in last week's first leg by fans of the Polish club which read: "Israel is killing and the world is silent," referring to the conflict in Gaza. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza since then has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. Europe's soccer governing body UEFA said disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both clubs for "transmitting a message not fit for a sports event". Maccabi Haifa have also been charged with improper conduct. Rakow Czestochowa won the second leg 2-0, giving them a 2-1 victory on aggregate to qualify for the playoffs later this month. REUTERS
