In an unusual move for European basketball, two Spanish teams, Tenerife and Manresa, will play their upcoming home games against Israeli opponents in empty arenas. The decision affects Tenerife’s Basketball Champions League match against Bnei Herzliya and Manresa’s BKT EuroCup game against Hapoel Jerusalem. This means no fans will be present to watch the games live from the stands.
The two clubs released a joint statement explaining that this was a difficult but necessary step. The primary reason for playing “behind closed doors” is to ensure the safety of everyone involved, from players and staff to the general public. This decision was not made lightly and came after discussions with sports authorities and law enforcement agencies who provided safety recommendations.
🛡️ A Difficult Decision for Safety
In their official announcement, both clubs emphasized their strong commitment to the values of sport and their opposition to any form of violence. The decision to hold the games without an audience was made to protect the integrity of the matches and guarantee that they could proceed safely and smoothly. This precautionary measure aims to prevent any potential security issues during the events.
📜 Balancing Obligations and Values
The clubs explained that they could not simply refuse to play the games. Doing so would break their contractual agreements with the European leagues, leading to serious consequences like heavy fines or even being expelled from the competitions. To fulfill their obligations while upholding their commitment to safety, playing in an empty stadium was chosen as the most responsible solution.
🏀 Focusing on the Game
With this decision made, the focus now shifts back to the court. For Tenerife, this match is part of their journey in the Basketball Champions League, where they currently hold a winning record. Meanwhile, Manresa is competing in the BKT EuroCup Regular Season. Both teams hope to continue their European campaigns successfully, even under these unusual circumstances.
