Netanyahu slams football fans for harming Israel’s image

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the actions of a small group of Beitar Jerusalem supporters who took part in a series of on-and off pitch battles during their side’s Europa League match in Belgium on Thursday.

The actions of the fans – which saw supporters throw smoke bombs, flares and firecrackers onto the pitch during their 5-1 defeat against Charleroi, as well as allegedly getting involved with fights with locals before the match – resulted in owner Eli Tabib announcing he was to put the club up for sell.

His sentiments were echoed by Netanyahu, who said “a small group of Beitar Jerusalem fans besmirched an entire fan base and harmed the country’s image.” Releasing a statement, having spoken to Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, he said: “It’s good that the absolute majority of Beitar Jerusalem fans immediately condemned the behavior of that small group of patrons, we will not allow them to besmirch an entire fan base and to harm the country’s image.”