عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

UEFA Charges Israeli and Polish Clubs over Political Fan Banners That Raised Diplomatic Tension

Maccabi's soccer players celebrate with their supporters after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers third round, 1st leg soccer match between Rakow Czestochowa and Maccabi Haifa in Czestochowa, Poland, 07 August 2025. (EPA)
Maccabi's soccer players celebrate with their supporters after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers third round, 1st leg soccer match between Rakow Czestochowa and Maccabi Haifa in Czestochowa, Poland, 07 August 2025. (EPA)
TT
TT

UEFA Charges Israeli and Polish Clubs over Political Fan Banners That Raised Diplomatic Tension

Maccabi's soccer players celebrate with their supporters after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers third round, 1st leg soccer match between Rakow Czestochowa and Maccabi Haifa in Czestochowa, Poland, 07 August 2025. (EPA)
Maccabi's soccer players celebrate with their supporters after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers third round, 1st leg soccer match between Rakow Czestochowa and Maccabi Haifa in Czestochowa, Poland, 07 August 2025. (EPA)

UEFA opened a disciplinary case Friday after an Israeli soccer club’s fans displayed a banner targeting Poland that was criticized by the Polish president and diplomats from Israel. 

Fallout from the Maccabi Haifa vs. Rakow Czestochowa game Thursday in UEFA’s Conference League adds to current scrutiny around non-sporting issues being aired at international soccer. 

The slogan “Murderers since 1939” in English was shown by Maccabi Haifa fans at a qualifying game in UEFA’s Conference League against Polish team Rakow. It was quickly condemned by the president of Poland and Israel’s embassy in the country. 

Polish President Karol Nawrocki posted on X the banner was “scandalous” and an insult to Polish victims of World War Two including three million Jews. 

Maccabi Haifa and Rakow played the game in neutral Hungary — instead of Israel for security reasons — one week after the first leg in Poland. There, Rakow fans showed a banner in Polish saying Israel was murdering people and the world was silent. 

UEFA said Friday both clubs have been charged with “transmitting a message not fit for a sports event” in a case that will be judged by its disciplinary panel. 

No timetable was given for imposing sanctions which could be fines and closing part of a stadium at a future game. Rakow won 2-0 Thursday and eliminated Maccabi Haifa 2-1 on aggregate score. 

The Polish government’s foreign ministry said Friday it had spoken with Israel’s ambassador to the country, Yaakov Finkelstein. 

“He expressed his utmost outrage at the scandalous content of a banner displayed by the Israeli fans and thanked for its firm condemnation by the embassy,” the Polish ministry said in a statement. 

Poland’s ambassador in Israel also was set to discuss the incident with Israel’s government, the ministry said, adding: “Polish-Israeli relations must not, and will not, be undermined by extremists.” 

UEFA does not allow overt political messaging by fans or clubs in stadiums at European competition games it organizes but was itself criticized this week. 

On Wednesday, UEFA displayed the message “Stop Killing Children. Stop Killing Civilians” on the field before its showpiece Super Cup game between the Champion League title holder Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winner Tottenham, played at Udine, Italy. 

UEFA said it was part of a campaign with its charitable foundation that has projects helping children affected by conflicts also in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine. 

When the PSG and Tottenham players were presented with their medals, the post-game ceremony involved two Palestinian children who are refugees in Italy from Gaza. 

At the Champions League final played in Munich in May, PSG fans displayed a banner “Stop Genocide in Gaza” in English. UEFA did not punish the Qatari-owned French club for the display. 

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Defending Champion Alcaraz to Miss French Open with Wrist Injury

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz gives a press conference to announce his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofe Conde de Godo, in Barcelona, Spain, 15 April 2026. (EPA)
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz gives a press conference to announce his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofe Conde de Godo, in Barcelona, Spain, 15 April 2026. (EPA)
TT
TT

Defending Champion Alcaraz to Miss French Open with Wrist Injury

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz gives a press conference to announce his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofe Conde de Godo, in Barcelona, Spain, 15 April 2026. (EPA)
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz gives a press conference to announce his withdrawal from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofe Conde de Godo, in Barcelona, Spain, 15 April 2026. (EPA)

Two-time reigning French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz said on Friday he will not play at this year's tournament as he recovers from a wrist injury.

"We have decided that the most prudent thing to do is to be cautious and not participate in Rome or Roland Garros," Alcaraz said on social media.

"It's a complicated moment for me, but I'm sure we'll come out stronger from this," the Spaniard added, saying that he and his team would monitor his recovery before deciding when and where he would return.

Alcaraz sustained the injury during the first round of the Barcelona Open last week, where he beat Otto Virtanen but subsequently pulled out of the tournament.

The 22-year-old announced his withdrawal from the Madrid Masters on April 17, increasing concerns over whether he would be able to appear at the French Open.

Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam in January with his triumph at the Australian Open. He holds a 22-3 record this season and also won a title in Doha.

Ranked second in the world, Alcaraz lost top spot following his defeat by Jannik Sinner in the Monte Carlo Masters final on April 12.

The seven-time Grand Slam winner, an expert on clay, triumphed at Roland Garros in 2024 and 2025. He saved three championship points against Sinner in last year's final.

Sports

Formula 1 Returns to Türkiye from 2027 on 5-year Contract

Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 10, 2021 General view at the start of the race REUTERS/Umit Bektas/ File Photo
Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 10, 2021 General view at the start of the race REUTERS/Umit Bektas/ File Photo
TT
TT

Formula 1 Returns to Türkiye from 2027 on 5-year Contract

Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 10, 2021 General view at the start of the race REUTERS/Umit Bektas/ File Photo
Formula One F1 - Turkish Grand Prix - Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Türkiye - October 10, 2021 General view at the start of the race REUTERS/Umit Bektas/ File Photo

The Turkish Grand Prix is back on the Formula 1 calendar next season for the first time since 2021, on a five-year agreement.

After an initial announcement Friday by the Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, there was confirmation from F1 and its governing body.

Erdogan said the deal would be for “at least five years”.

The Istanbul Park circuit outside the city first hosted F1 from 2005 through 2011, and next year's race would be the first since Türkiye returned to the calendar in 2020 and 2021 during disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Valtteri Bottas won the most recent race for Mercedes.

“Many memorable moments have been made in our sport’s history at Istanbul Park and I’m excited to begin the next chapter of our partnership, giving fans the opportunity to experience even more incredible racing in a truly fantastic location,” Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said.

Hosting F1 would “demonstrate to the world that our country is the safe haven of its region,” Erdogan said.

The news comes after the Iran war caused widespread disruption to sports in the region and forced F1 to call off races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia scheduled for this month.

That left a large gap in this year’s schedule. The Miami Grand Prix next week will be the first F1 race since the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29.

F1’s return to Istanbul had been widely expected since Domenicali said in February that it was a candidate to return.

He added venues like Istanbul Park and the Portimão circuit, which will host the returning Portuguese Grand Prix next year, show F1 is not focusing too much on street races in glamorous locations.

Those can be some of F1's most lucrative events, like the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but are generally less popular with drivers than purpose-built race tracks.

“Türkiye is not 100% confirmed. Stay tuned on Türkiye, let me put it this way,” Domenicali said at the time. “This is also to answer to the people that were saying there were too many street races. The new ones that are coming are tracks, not street races.”

The return of Türkiye and Portugal next year will come as the Dutch Grand Prix, four-time champion Max Verstappen's home race, leaves the schedule after six years. The Belgian Grand Prix and the second Spanish race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host in alternate years from 2027, freeing up another slot.

F1 estimated Friday it has 19 million fans in Türkiye, and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called the race's return “a powerful reflection of the continued global growth and appeal of our sport.”

The Istanbul Park track was generally popular with drivers and its long, high-speed turn eight was often ranked as one of the most challenging corners in the world.

Felipe Massa is the most successful driver at the Turkish Grand Prix with three wins in a row for Ferrari from 2006 through 2008, while Lewis Hamilton has won the race twice.

Sports

Liverpool's Slot Warns 'Margins Are Small' in Champions League Push

Liverpool's manager Arne Slot reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Liverpool in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)
Liverpool's manager Arne Slot reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Liverpool in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)
TT
TT

Liverpool's Slot Warns 'Margins Are Small' in Champions League Push

Liverpool's manager Arne Slot reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Liverpool in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)
Liverpool's manager Arne Slot reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Liverpool in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Arne Slot warned on Friday that "margins are small" in the Premier League as Liverpool aim to strengthen their push for a place in next season's Champions League.

The Reds are fifth in the table after two straight league wins, five points clear of Brighton, who have played a game more.

The top five teams in the Premier League gain automatic entry into next season's Champions League.

Liverpool face a tough task on Saturday against Crystal Palace, whom they have failed to beat in three meetings so far this season.

Slot was asked at his pre-match press conference whether he was planning for next season after a disappointing title defense but was keen to shift the focus back onto the current campaign.

"Of course there are conversations going on about next season but my complete focus is, and still should be, on this season, because margins are small," said the Liverpool boss.

"One or two results can make a big difference, as we saw, because I think two weeks ago we weren't five points clear of the number six, and two results later we are, so it can also go both ways.

"So my full focus is on Palace, which is needed because, as you know, we've played them three times already this season and we're unable to beat them once."

Liverpool lost to Oliver Glasner's side on penalties in the season-opening Community Shield before defeats in the Premier League and the League Cup.

The Reds have picked up vital wins against Fulham and Everton this month but have also suffered demoralizing defeats against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Manchester City in the FA Cup.

"In the last eight games we picked up 16 points, and it doesn't always feel like that, because in between we have to play PSG, Man City," AFP quoted Slot as saying. "But our recent league form is acceptable."

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker has not played since mid-March due to injury but Slot said he was close to a return and could be ready to face Palace.

Number two goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is sidelined with an injury he picked up last week against Everton, meaning that Freddie Woodman would deputize for Palace if Alisson were not fit.

Slot brushed aside speculation linking Alisson with a move away from Anfield at the end of the season.

"We don't react to rumors in this room," said the Dutchman.

"We only react when facts need to be told, and that's not the situation at the moment.

"But the main focus for Ali is, I think, very clear -- that's getting back into goal as soon as possible for the club he loves to play for, and then he wants to be in goal for the country he loves to play for, and that's Brazil."