No audience, no atmosphere. The Palais des Sports Maurice-Thorez will be empty this Wednesday, December 18 for the meeting between Nanterre 92 and Hapoël Holon, counting for the Basketball Champions League (BCL). By municipal decree, the mayor of Nanterre, Raphaël Adam, banned the presence of spectators. An exceptional decision, justified by the risks of violence linked to the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip and growing tensions around this sporting event.
In a press release published Monday, the Nanterre town hall justified its decision by citing “the particularly tense national and international geopolitical context resulting from the situation in the Middle East”, as well as “the growing rise in tensions around the holding of the match” . These tensions have manifested themselves in recent days through petitions calling for a boycott, threatening messages addressed to players, as well as a “massive purchase of tickets outside the usual channels”, making it difficult to identify spectators at risk.
Demonstrations and worrying precedents
Last weekend, a first demonstration against the holding of the match brought together several hundred people in the city, at the call of organizations such as EuroPalestine. Other gatherings are planned for Tuesday December 17 and Wednesday December 18, further increasing fears of provocations or confrontations near the sports venue. The town hall also cited recent precedents, such as the incidents during the football match between France and Israel at the Stade de France on November 14, or the scuffles that occurred before a Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel- Aviv in early November.
In this context, the town hall considered that the closed session was “the most appropriate measure to prevent disturbances to public order and protect the inhabitants of Nanterre as well as professional athletes”. Only players, staff of both teams, officials and accredited persons will be authorized to access the room.
A negative impact for Nanterre, in the race for qualification
For Nanterre 92, this decision is a hard blow. Last in their group in BCL, the players were counting on the support of their public to try to overthrow the second place in the group, Hapoel Holon. But it is now in a cozy atmosphere that they will have to seek to achieve a crucial victory for their European hopes.
The supporters, for their part, express their disappointment in the face of this imposed closed session. Some denounce a decision that is too radical, but others understand the need to guarantee security in such a tense context. The meeting will take place on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Palais des Sports Maurice-Thorez, in imposed silence, but under close surveillance.
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