ROME (AP) — Israel’s World Cup qualifying match against Italy next week is expected to draw more pro-Palestinian protesters outside the soccer stadium in Udine than ticket-holding spectators inside.
Protesters already approached the gates of Italy’s training center in Florence last week to demand that the match be canceled due to the ongoing war in Gaza. This action was part of a national strike that saw millions of activists take to the streets.
“It’s not going to be a calm environment,” Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso acknowledged Tuesday from inside the Coverciano training center, which was targeted by protesters. “There will be 10,000 people outside the stadium and 5-6,000 inside the stadium.”
As of Monday, only 4,000 tickets had been sold for next Tuesday’s match at Stadio Friuli. While UEFA had considered suspending Israel over the war, and Udine Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni had called for the game to be postponed, the Italian team — desperate to avoid missing out on qualifying for a third consecutive World Cup — has decided to proceed with the match.
“We have to play this match. Because if we don’t, we’ll lose it 3-0,” Gattuso said, referring to the forfeit rule. “(Italian soccer federation) president (Gabriele) Gravina explained that very well.”
Tensions have also been high on the field between the two squads. After Italy edged Israel 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller last month in neutral Hungary—where Israel has been playing its “home” matches—emotions ran high. Tuesday also marked two years since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel plunged the region into a devastating war.
Protesters in Italy and elsewhere have reacted strongly, also in response to an international aid mission blocked by Israeli forces.
“It’s upsetting to see what’s happening to innocent people and children,” Gattuso said. “It hurts your heart.”
Currently, Italy and Israel are level with six points each, trailing group leader Norway. Only the first-place finisher in the group qualifies directly for next year’s tournament in North America. The second-place teams progress to a playoff — a stage where Italy was previously eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia, missing out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively.
“Considering that we’re trying to get to the World Cup and we need to give our absolute all, I’m sure you can understand that I would have preferred to play a home game with the enthusiasm that we saw in Bergamo a month ago,” Gattuso remarked, referring to Italy’s 5-0 win over Estonia.
Israel could also face protests during its visit to Norway on Saturday. The Norwegian soccer federation has pledged to donate its ticket sales profits from the upcoming game in Oslo to humanitarian work in Gaza conducted by Doctors Without Borders.
Italy previously played Israel in Udine last October in the Nations League. That game passed without incident, despite a pro-Palestinian demonstration before the match and a heavy police presence. Italy won 4-1.
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https://fox5sandiego.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-security-a-concern-for-italy-israel-soccer-match-as-protesters-demand-match-be-stopped/