Israeli fans launch flares onto pitch after Palestine chants in Malta
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Israeli media say five Maccabi Haifa supporters were arrested as a result.
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Israeli football fans launch flares onto pitch during a game between Maccabi Haifa and Hamrun Spartans, in the Centenary Stadium in Ta' Qali, Malta, on July 11, 2023 (Social media)
Israeli football club Maccabi Haifa's Champions League qualifying match against Hamrun Spartans of Malta had to be halted for 30 minutes on Tuesday following clashes between fans after Maltese supporters chanted "Palestine, Palestine".
Tensions rose as Maccabi supporters launched flares onto the pitch in the Centenary Stadium in Ta' Qali in Malta.
Five Israeli supporters were arrested, according to The Times of "Israel", with Malta Today reporting that two were to be formally charged on Wednesday.
Em Malta, partida da primeira rodada preliminar da Champions League entre o Hamrun Spartans e o Maccabi Haifa, de Israel, foi interrompida.
— Copa Além da Copa (@copaalemdacopa) July 11, 2023
Os torcedores israelenses começaram a lançar diversos objetos na torcida maltesa após cantos em suporte à Palestina. pic.twitter.com/2eXXmGnrWN
Maccabi Haifa supporters plead guilty to causing Malta stadium mayhem https://t.co/Jim6gjYmDb pic.twitter.com/VWxXopZulk
— MaltaToday (@maltatoday) July 12, 2023
Some fans searched by police on entry to the stadium were found to be smuggling flares in their underwear, Maltese police said in a statement. Despite the searches, others managed to get the flares past the police.
UEFA said it was "still gathering the official reports from this match."
