Virtus Bologna vs Maccabi Tel Aviv could be postponed for safety reasons

The basketball match between Virtus Bologna and Maccabi Tel Aviv, scheduled for Friday, the 21st, at 8:30 PM, is at risk. According to Repubblica, the authorities has formally requested that it be postponed, at least until mid-December, after the Davis Cup tennis tournament. "The opinion of Police Commissioner Antonio Sbordone is circulating among the members of the National Observatory of Sports Events (Ones) and is already on the desk of the Prefect of Bologna, Enrico Ricci. A decision has not yet been made, but it is certain that the concerns of those who will have to manage public order will carry weight."

The situation has been under scrutiny for some time, as Digos (General Investigations and Special Operations Division) experts have noted a certain ferment on the websites of pro-Palestine groups, some grassroots trade unions, student collectives, and various associations. This is a general call to action to prevent the match with Tel Aviv from being played, which could bring several thousand people onto the streets, ready to do anything to block the game. "Sources from the Questura report that in the event of marches and demonstrations, the PalaDozza 'would be difficult to defend' and, in any case, 'there would be a risk of the 'Udine effect'." Last February 13th, for the football World Cup qualifiers, it was decided to seal off the "Friuli" stadium, and Italy-Israel took place regularly. No demonstration reached the stadium, but clashes did occur, and the city paid dearly for the consequences. "The same thing could happen in Bologna."

Possible Solutions: Several solutions were reportedly evaluated in the past few hours. Playing behind closed doors would not solve the public order issue, because the fans are not the problem, but the match itself (the protesters would still take to the streets). Another option is a red zone around the PalaDozza, which would mean deploying at least 200 people for security. "Another hypothesis would be to move the match to another Italian city (for example, Trento); however, the risks would be identical, so even if there were a city willing to take on such a burden, it wouldn't be acceptable. Euroleague could finally decide to play the game abroad (Riga, in Latvia, has been mentioned). This might be acceptable to Tel Aviv, but not to Virtus, but it would be a solution."

For the Police Headquarters, a postponement would be sufficient to organize the match at the Fiera (Exhibition Center). "The area is outside the city center and easier to protect. Fewer personnel are needed, and crucially, the necessary forces would remain available to control any 'wandering' marches throughout the city. The proposals are all on the table, but the final word rests with the Ones and the Prefecture."