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Maccabi Tel-Aviv to play Europa League match behind closed doors

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 3, 2026, 5:42 PM

Last updated Aug 3, 2026

Maccabi Tel-Aviv to play Europa League match behind closed doors

Summary

Maccabi Tel-Aviv will host CSKA Sofia in an empty stadium for their Europa League game on August 3, 2026. This decision comes after UEFA penalized the club for fan behavior involving fireworks during a previous match. Maccabi must also pay a fine of 40,000 euros. The match will take place in Batumi, Georgia, a neutral venue due to ongoing security concerns for Israeli teams since October 2023. Following this match, the winner will face OFI Crete in the qualifying playoffs on August 20.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•UEFA punishes Maccabi Tel-Aviv for fan fireworks.
•Match against CSKA Sofia is on August 3, 2026.
•Game will be held in Batumi, Georgia.
•Maccabi faces a 40,000 euro fine.
•Winner will meet OFI Crete on August 20.

Latest Updates

5:42 PMYahoo Sports — Maccabi Tel-Aviv ordered to play Europa League game in empty stadium because of fan fireworks

What they're saying

"
UEFA punished Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Monday by ordering the Israeli club to play a Europa League home game in an empty stadium after fans lit fireworks at a game last week. Maccabi hosts CSKA Sofia on Thursday at the same stadium in Batumi, Georgia, where the team beat Sheriff Tiraspol 1-0 last week. Israeli national and club teams have had to choose neutral countries to host games in UEFA competitions for security reasons since October 2023, when conflict with Hamas started.
— Yahoo Sports

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Europa League Soccer