Snipers had been stationed on the stadium roof, and a heavy police presence was felt all through Udine throughout Italy’s house match in opposition to Israel on Monday.
Ultimately, each the match and a pro-Palestine demonstration held earlier proceeded with out incident, with Italy securing a 4-1 victory within the Nations League.
The metropolis was on excessive alert, given the backdrop of the continued battle within the Middle East, which has prolonged into Lebanon following greater than a yr of Israeli assaults on Palestinians in Gaza.
This marked Israel’s first match exterior impartial Hungary this yr.
Since the onset of the Gaza battle on Oct. 7, Israel had beforehand performed in Kosovo and Andorra final November.
All Israel matches since then have been in Hungary, together with final month’s sport in opposition to Belgium within the Nations League after the Belgian Football Association refused to host the sport for safety causes.
“We are going to play this match with the hope of convincing ever more people of the wrongness of war,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti said. “There are many Israelis who don’t need it, and we should persuade ever extra people who that is one thing that has to cease.”
When Spalletti’s group performed its “away” match in opposition to Israel final month in Hungary, a bunch of about 50 Italy followers clad in all black turned their backs in obvious protest throughout Israel’s nationwide anthem.
There had been boos from some followers in Udine when the Israeli anthem was performed on Monday, however the remainder of the stadium tried to drown that out with loud applause – simply as that they had accomplished when the Israel group was launched.
At least one Palestinian flag was held up.
Fewer than 12,000 tickets had been offered for Monday’s match – lower than half the capability of the 25,000-seat Stadio Friuli – amid stringent safety measures that additionally included armed army personnel on the stadium roof.
Areas across the stadium had been blocked off 48 hours earlier than kickoff and declared a “red zone,” and solely followers with tickets may cross via the tall metallic boundaries.
Supporters had been strongly suggested to reach early due to rigorous checks.
Hundreds of additional law enforcement officials had been known as up from surrounding areas.
Around 1,000 individuals took half in a pro-Palestine demonstration earlier within the metropolis middle.
Among the placards had been a number of posters calling on soccer’s governing our bodies to ban Israel.
Source: www.dailysabah.com