Real Madrid awaits authorities’ decision on games vs Hapoel Tel Aviv
Real Madrid is awaiting a decision from authorities regarding its upcoming EuroLeague playoff series against Hapoel Tel Aviv, which is set to begin in a week. Los Blancos secured home-court advantage after finishing third in the regular season with 18 wins, but the arrival of the Israeli club raises questions about potential restrictions on arena access. In this EuroLeague season, games involving Israeli teams in Spain have almost always been played behind closed doors, except for the matchup between Valencia Basket and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Roig Arena, where attendance was limited to season ticket holders, with around 8,000 fans present.
“The team has earned the right to play in front of its fans in three out of five games. Now, everyone involved in this decision will evaluate it carefully, and I hope they make the best possible choice,” said head coach Sergio Scariolo. A decision from the authorities is expected in the coming hours. Playing behind closed doors would effectively eliminate home-court advantage. Although protests against Israel have recently subsided, the game is still expected to be classified as high risk, with recommendations to restrict fan access.
If that happens, Real Madrid could still choose to host the game with fans, taking full responsibility for everything that occurs inside the arena. However, this would require enhanced private security measures, with the additional costs falling on the club. Real Madrid’s organized supporter groups expressed their frustration in a statement: “It is unacceptable that in the most anticipated games of the year, season ticket holders and all other Real Madrid fans cannot support our team. The club must protect its own interests and those of its supporters, and insist that the games be played with fans in attendance.”
The situation appears paradoxical when compared to Hapoel Tel Aviv: the Israeli side plays its home games in Sofia, at Arena 8888, with fans allowed. In their most recent home game against Olympiacos BC, 10,920 spectators attended in Bulgaria.
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