a group of Parisian supporters will boycott the match against Maccabi Tel Aviv

The Adidas Arena, usually animated by the songs and drums of Kop Parisii, will be quieter on January 16. During the reception of Maccabi Tel Aviv for the 22nd day of the Euroleague, the main group of Paris Basketball supporters decided to boycott the entertainment in the stands. This decision comes as Gaza is besieged by Israeli forces.

In a press release published on January 2, Kop Parisii explained its decision:
“We do not want to politicize the KOP or create divisions in our ranks. But there are things that go further than a simple basketball match… Our values and the values of humanism in general. »

The group, made up of around 200 members, announced that it would not host the platform for this meeting: “We decided with the office not to make this match a usual match and above all not to act as if nothing had happened. There will be no drums, no singing, no tarpaulins. »

This planned boycott echoes another match. During a previous clash on December 18 between Nanterre and Hapoel Holon, another Israeli team, pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted the match, leading to the interruption of the game. Despite the mobilization of 400 security agents and several arrests , the event illustrated the tensions around the Israeli teams.

For the match between Paris Basketball and Maccabi Tel Aviv, the authorities have not yet specified the security arrangements, nor the number of Israeli supporters expected.

On a sporting level, this shock represents a crucial test for Paris Basketball, engaged for the first time in the Euroleague. After three consecutive defeats, the Parisian team must get its act together. However, the absence of entertainment in the stands could weigh on the atmosphere and the state of mind of the players.

Kop Parisii concludes its press release by emphasizing that this is an exceptional step: “We don’t do this lightly. But there are times when sport must take a back seat to broader human issues. »