Union and Haifa address anti-Semitic incidents: "Breaking down prejudices through congress and contact."
Union Berlin has issued an apology for isolated incidents of anti-semitism that took place at the UEFA European Conference League in Berlin's Olympiastadion on Thursday night.
Supporters of visiting Maccabi Haifa and members of the German-Israeli youth league have also thanked the Union ultras who were not involved and showed solidarity with the affected fans.
The Charlottenburg police are currently investigating a number of unfortunate incidents that allegedly took place at the UEFA Europa Conference League match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Maccabi Haifa on Thursday evening.
Supporters of visiting Maccabi Haifa and members of the German-Israeli youth league have also thanked the Union ultras who were not involved and showed solidarity with the affected fans.
Friday proved a rough day for German football enthusiasts as reports began to emerge that some Maccabi Haifa supporters were accosted by Union ultras. In response to an inquiry from Germany's associated press, the local police confirmed that they were investigating a number of incidents that took place at the stadium.
These included xenophobic remarks, thrown projectiles, and even an attempt to set fire to an Israeli flag. It has not been confirmed at this time if anyone was hurt during these confrontations.
"This behavior is shameful and not tolerable," Union President Dirk Zingler said in a statement, "We apologize to all those affected. Anti-Semitism is unfortunately still present in our society. It is important to remain vigilant against it. We will support the police investigation with all of the sources at our disposal."
Der 1. FC Union Berlin verurteilt den antisemitischen Angriff auf Maccabi-Fans. "Dieses Verhalten ist beschämend und nicht tolerierbar" so Union-Präsident Dirk Zingler. "Es gilt wachsam zu bleiben und unermüdlich dagegen anzukämpfen!" @JuFoDIGBerlin #fcunion | #FCUMAC pic.twitter.com/avpDQ6Ipbm
— 1. FC Union Berlin 🇪🇺🛫 (@fcunion) October 1, 2021
It is important to note that there were more positive scenes on display at the Olympiastadion on Thursday. Many Union supporters jeered down the abuse and there were cheer exchanges between the ultra blocks.
"Thank you for the wave of solidarity showed online and to all the Union supporters who supported us in the stadium," the German-Israeli youth league noted in a released statement, "The majority of Union fans gave a friendly welcome to Maccabi and celebrated football with them."
The Israeli club itself accepted Union's apology and issued a preliminary welcome to the Union ultras ahead of the return leg.
Vielen Dank für die tolle Gastfreundschaft.
— Maccabi Haifa FC (@mhfootballclub) September 30, 2021
Es war ein aufregendes Spiel vor eurem und auch vor unserem Publikum und auch in diesem Stadion, das seine Bedeutung hat.
Vielen Dank und auf ein Wiedersehen in Israel. https://t.co/NnGa9PfAMr
"This is a good example of how to break through prejudices through congress and contact with each other," Zingler added, "Over 23,000 came together in a cordial atmosphere. Many of us had great meetings and conversations with our guests from Haifa and representatives of Jewish organizations and clubs in the lead up to the game yesterday."