Spain’s Barça basketball team won against Israel’s Maccabi team in a EuroLeague match held without an audience in Barcelona on Tuesday, with another such game planned for the Israeli guests on Thursday against Real Madrid.
Spanish pro-Israel critics of the decisions to hold the matches without spectators called the decision to clear the stands “surrender to jihadism.” Barça’s coach, Xavi Pascual, called it “a way to punish the innocents.” Maccabi lost to his team 83-93, the Mundo Deportivo news site reported.
The Action and Communication on the Middle East (ACOM) organization also protested the decision, which followed calls by anti-Israel activists to disrupt matches against Israeli athletes.
“This is an absolutely regrettable decision. A surrender to the violent parties, to the antisemites, to the accomplices of jihadism. A terrible precedent. Another red line has been crossed,” the organization said.
Real Madrid’s management did not state the reason for their decision in a statement announcing it, citing a police recommendation.
“Following the meeting held by the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport, which declared the match high risk, Real Madrid is thus complying with the recommendation made by the National Police,” the team’s administrators said.
During the Vuelta cycling grand tour last year, the finale in Madrid was canceled and other parts of the event were shortened after demonstrators burst onto the course.
