Red Devils face Israel in Budapest in a bid to avoid protests
Belgium play Israel in the final round of the Nations League on Sunday evening. The game will take place in Budapest, Hungary, rather than Belgium, for security reasons.
The Belgian FA decided in September to move the game to Hungary after no Belgian city was willing to take on the organisational challenges. Riots in Amsterdam and unprecedented security measures in Paris during recent matches involving Israeli teams underscored the potential for unrest.
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán has positioned Budapest as a secure venue for such high-stakes matches, partly by banning pro-Palestinian protests in the country. This policy has attracted teams seeking a controlled environment free from the threat of disruption.
Tonight's game at the Bozsik Aréna will have a markedly subdued atmosphere. The stadium holds only 9,000 people and ticket sales have been slow, with only 600 sold as of Saturday.
Beyond security measures, the Red Devils have other issues, with injuries and withdrawals leaving the team short-handed. Coach Domenico Tedesco must rely on an improvised line-up after Romelu Lukaku, Amadou Onana, Arthur Theate, Maxim De Cuyper and Roméo Lavia were ruled out. He hopes this "emergency team" can avoid defeat against Israel.
© BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY
Related news
