Hapoel Jerusalem release a statement regarding AEK fans' behavior / News - Basketnews.com

Hapoel Jerusalem will file a complaint to FIBA about the events. Local authorities discouraged evacuating the Israeli fans because of concerns for their safety.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Around 400 Hapoel Jerusalem fans arrived to support their team in Greece as the club met AEK Athens in the Basketball Champions League (BCL) playoffs. However, they were welcomed with violence.

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As documented by several Israeli news outlets, the Greek fans started throwing various things at the Israeli supporters. One of the fans was injured in the process,Tomer Givati from Israel Hayom writes.

AEK fans threw firecrackers at the opposing fans, and started burning an Israeli flag, while several Palestinian flags were seen in the arena as well.

Israeli fans later responded with flares.BN Sports reportincidents outside the arena as several loud bangs could be heard before the start of the second half. There were several attempts to break into the Hapoel stand,the Israeli journalist notes.

After the game, Hapoel released a statement, clarifying the events that transpired and the options that were discussed between the organizations and the refereeing crew:

Dear fans,

Hapoel sees the difficult events in Athens as nothing less than a terrorist attack on Israeli fans, who came in droves to support their team, as they've been doing for years.

In view of the events, we checked all the methods of operation during halftime. Evacuating the Hapoel fans was an option that was ruled out outright due to the fact that Greek fans surrounded the hall, and there was a real danger of a severe attack outside the hall.

Stopping the game was also a possibility that was seriously considered by the team's management, but the security personnel and the police warned that this decision could lead to complete chaos and a violent outbreak that would endanger human life.

Therefore, it was decided, for the sake of maintaining the safety of all Hapoel fans, to continue the game, along with a promise by the police team that another violent incident will lead to the removal of all fans, on both sides, from the hall.

Hapoel cherishes and stands by every fan who came to support the team under such difficult conditions, and we regret the traumatic experience our dedicated fans had to go through. The club will not go over the events in silence and a serious complaint will be filed to FIBA.

Thanks to each and every one of you!

The burning of the Israeli flag:

Firecrackers being thrown at Hapoel fans:

AEK fans behaving violently:

Experience of one Israeli fan:

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