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A soccer match between KAA Gent and Maccabi Haifa scheduled next month in Belgium will be played without fans due to fears of serious riots linked to the Israel-Hamas war, local authorities have ruled.
According to Belgian media reports, Ghent mayor Mathias De Clercq made his decision on the advice of local police.
Gent will host the Israeli club on Feb. 21 in the second leg of their Conference League playoff.
"Based on police information, serious problems are expected," said Thomas Dierckens, a spokesperson for Mayor De Clercq, as quoted by Phlegmish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.
"The KAA Gent Arena has no outer perimeter, which makes control difficult, and there is a good chance that public order in and around the stadium will be disrupted. This not only has consequences for the safety of fans and players but also sporting consequences," he said. "If the match is stopped for more than half an hour due to disruption, UEFA will give KAA Gent a forfeit score of 0-5."
Protests calling for a ceasefire in the war have been taking place regularly in Ghent. Last week, pro-Paleostinian activists reportedly disrupted the city’s New Year’s reception.