Posted on 10/01/21
| News Source: i24
Israeli fans pelted with beer, subjected to abuse at Nazi-era stadium
A German soccer club apologized Friday after fans hurled anti-Semitic insults at visiting supporters of Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa, the first club from Israel to play at the Nazi-era Olympic stadium.
"This behavior is shameful and intolerable," said Union Berlin chair Dirk Zingler.
"We apologize to those affected, we shall never tolerate discrimination in our midst. It is crucial to remain vigilant and to work tirelessly against it."
Haifa fans said they were subjected to anti-Semitic insults from some Union Berlin supporters during a Europa Conference League match at the city's Olympic Stadium, where the hosts won 3-0 on Thursday.
"On the terraces, we were threatened by Union fans, pelted with beer", said the Youth Forum of the German-Israeli Society Berlin-Potsdam on Twitter, adding that members of their group were subjected to anti-Semitic insults "among other things."
Berlin Police said they were investigating the incidents for incitement, with one suspect, who repeatedly shouted "Sieg Heil," being probed as well.
"The anti-Semitic incidents at yesterday's match... show that hostility towards Jews is still widespread in football," said Felix Klein, Germany's commissioner for Jewish Life and the Fight against anti-Semitism.
"I am dismayed that instead of fairness and respect, hatred and violence emanated from German fans, especially at this historically-charged venue," he added.