Ahead of tomorrow's return-leg against FC Basel, Maccabi Tel Aviv FC request of the club's many, many fans who will come to Bloomfield Stadium to see the match to devote their energies to supporting the team before and during the match and to refrain from diverting those energies to issues concerning the opposing club. Maccabi Tel Aviv as a club have declared a deep commitment to combatting any acts of racism or violence and to the maintenance of mutual respect and sportsmanship. Our involvement here is in an international match organised by the European Football Association (UEFA) who maintain a hard-handed zero tolerance policy that could see clubs handed down severe punishments for the misconduct of their fans. At the same time, disciplinary action against the club is already pending as a result of the conduct of Maccabi fans during the away match against Gyor in Hungary. Any further disciplinary action against the club could lead to additional sanctions by Europe's governing body which could directly affect the club and their supporters on the European circuit, such as suspension from participating in competitions, closure of stadiums etc. Hence Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club are asking their supporters to disregard any form of provocation and to concentrate on supporting the team in their efforts to beat Basel in a sportsmanlike manner.
