Catalan basketball team to face Israeli opponents behind closed doors amid security fears

Catalan basketball team Baxi Manresa will play their home fixture against Israel's Hapoel Jerusalem on Wednesday behind closed doors due to security concerns.

On Sunday, Bàsquet Manresa (known as Baxi Manresa for sponsorship reasons) issued a joint statement with CB Canarias (La Laguna Tenerife) announcing that both clubs' upcoming European games against Israeli teams would be played without spectators.

"Regarding the scheduled matches, after numerous consultations with the relevant authorities, sports governing bodies, and law enforcement agencies, and in accordance with the information and recommendations received, both clubs have decided that the European competition games taking place next week at the Santiago Martín and Nou Congost arenas will be played behind closed doors," the statement read.

"This decision has been taken to guarantee the safety of all those involved and the proper conduct of the matches, in compliance with our contractual obligations."

The statement noted that "the clubs involved cannot unilaterally decide not to play the matches in the competitions in which we are registered, as this would constitute a breach of contract, with the consequent risk of disciplinary and financial sanctions, as well as expulsion from those competitions."

"We reiterate our firm commitment to the fundamental values of sport. We categorically reject any form of violence or violation of human rights that occurs in any context," the statement added.

The Spanish State Commission Against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance in Sport declared the EuroCup match between Baxi Manresa and Hapoel Jerusalem a high-risk event last week and urged the Catalan club to take "appropriate measures to reinforce security."

Council suspends sporting activity

Manresa City Council has suspended all sporting activity in the Congost area from 2pm on Wednesday because of planned protests ahead of the EuroCup game between Baxi Manresa and Hapoel Jerusalem, which is scheduled for 9pm at the Nou Congost Arena.

City officials said the decision was taken for security reasons, given the protests that have been called against the game and the war and humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The measure has been communicated to local sports clubs that use the facilities in the area.

Zona Roja, a Bàsquet Manresa supporters' group, together with the Boicot ICL campaign organization issued a public call last week "to all citizens" to "stop" the EuroCup game between Baxi Manresa and Hapoel Jerusalem from going ahead.