After recent controversy surrounding Italy’s football match against Israel in Udine, basketball is now being drawn into tensions linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Attention has shifted to Bologna, where Virtus is set to host Maccabi Tel Aviv on Friday, 21 November.
Bologna’s mayor, Matteo Lepore, expressed serious concern about public safety: “In my view, the conditions do not exist to manage this event calmly. The risks for citizens, shops, and the city are extremely high,” he said, urging Interior Minister Piantedosi to reconsider the date or location.
Lepore also noted that the city might need to cover a significant portion of the security costs - estimated at around €200,000 - due to demonstrations expected in the historic center and the suspension of several public works sites.
Calling the situation “unacceptable and disrespectful to Bologna,” the mayor warned that between 5,000 and 10,000 demonstrators could arrive from across Italy and abroad. He fears that extraordinary police deployment will be required despite the city’s earlier warnings in the Public Order Committee.