Netanyahu slams behavior of Beitar Jerusalem fans

Beitar Jerusalem owner Eli Tabib announced after the Thursday Europa League match was halted in Charleroi that he was “ashamed” by the conduct of an “extremist group of fans” and meant to sell the team.

For many who watched the event unfold there is no difference between Beitar fans and the average Israeli.

Regev said Beitar fans who took part in rioting in Belgium should be banned from attending the follow-up game.

Beitar lost the match, in which Charleroi goalie Nicolas Penneteau was hit by a hard object thrown from the crowd, which forced a delay.

Speaking on Friday, Tabib said: “I am ashamed…”

“It’s a good thing that the absolute majority of Beitar Jerusalem’s fans have condemned the behavior of that small group of fans”. “Tonight according to protocol signified the tip of the responsibility in Israeli football or soccer, and particularly by using Beitar Jerusalem”, Tabib remained.

Thursday’s aggression reportedly began when a small group of Charleroi fans began an anti-semitic chant that quickly escalated as Beitar fans threw smoke grenades and flares on to the pitch.

Beitar Jerusalem is causing controversy once again, after fans swarmed the field and rioted after a game in Belgium Thursday night.

Despite playing in a city in which 40% of the population is of Palestinian origin, Beitar has never fielded an Arab player although it once had one on its books in the 1970s.

The club is the only major Israeli outfit that has never employed an Arab player and this was one of the grievances that the Palestinian FA cited in its call for Israel to be suspended from Federation Internationale de Football Association this year.

Beitar has a notorious hardcore fanbase known as La Familia, who often apply pressure to the club’s hierarchy. Police said several Beitar fans were questioned on their return to Israel on Friday.

“The violent behaviour which included throwing smoke bombs on to the pitch represents a type of wild behaviour which lacks even the slightest respect for anyone working in the sport”.

“Beitar fans caused real damage to Israel’s image in the world, in a horror show of violence, racism and barbaric behavior”. Their behavior is unacceptable.

Beitar have by far the worst disciplinary record in Israel’s Premier League and over the past decade have faced about two dozen hearings and received various punishments, including points deductions, fines and matches behind closed doors.

Beitar are due to host Charleroi in the return leg at Jerusalem’s Teddy Kollek Stadium next week and Regev said security, which is always heavy at Beitar matches, would be tightened further.