Scotland to play Israel without fans because of ‘planned disruptions’

An Israeli FA spokesman told Telegraph Sport: “Regarding the match in Glasgow, the decision was made by the hosting FA and we don’t have any problem with it.

“We are hosting our women’s matches at the moment away from home and behind closed doors.

“We have full confidence in the Scottish FA and the decision-makers. We are not intimidated by anything, but full of appreciation to our opponents.”

Celtic fans’ support for Hamas

The Glasgow-based GGECommittee has previously held anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrations there and in Edinburgh, including two last week.

It also plans a ‘Day of Action’ in the former city on Saturday.

Two weeks ago, it staged a protest was outside Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, where demonstrators held placards that featured the Uefa logo and read: “Show Israeli genocide the red card”.

Football in Glasgow had already been dragged into the war in Gaza courtesy of hardcore Celtic supporters’ long-held support for the Palestinian cause.

The ‘Green Brigade’ was widely condemned for banners held aloft before the Scottish champions’ win over Kilmarnock on Oct 7, which read: “Free Palestine. Victory to the resistance.”

Celtic have been repeatedly punished by Uefa for the group’s displays of Palestine flags and banned its ultras from their matches at the end of October – stressing the move was because of wider unacceptable behaviour.

The ban was lifted in December after the group agreed to comply with a new code of conduct.

Fifa discussing Israel’s future

Last week, the president of Fifa, Gianni Infantino, confirmed it would hold an urgent meeting to decide if Israel should be thrown out of world football over its response to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.

Infantino confirmed the governing body would carry out a “legal assessment” of the matter following a proposal submitted by the Palestine Football Association (PFA) for inclusion on the agenda for its annual congress in Bangkok.

The proposal, which was backed by the FAs of Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Yemen, was not put to a vote of Fifa member associations, with Infantino revealing the issue would be decided upon at an emergency meeting of the organisation’s council in late July.

Supporters to get refunds

The SFA said in a statement: “Due to updated intelligence and following extensive security consultations with all key parties, the Scottish FA regrets to confirm that the forthcoming Uefa Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier between Scotland and Israel at Hampden Park on May 31 will now be played behind closed doors.

“The away fixture, due to be played in Hungary on June 4, will also be played behind closed doors.

“The stadium operations team were alerted to the potential for planned disruptions to the match and as a consequence we have no option but to play the match without supporters in attendance.

“Measures are in place to provide an automatic and full refund to those supporters who have already purchased tickets for this match.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the decision but the safety of supporters, players, team staff and officials is of paramount importance.”