Fire Destroys Offices of Israeli Soccer Team That Recruited Muslims
Source: NY Times
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Friday condemned as shameful the recent protests by soccer fans here of their teams recent recruitment of two Muslim players, hours after the offices of the team were burned in what the police suspect was an arson set by some of those fans.
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The team, Beitar Jerusalem, has long been linked to Mr. Netanyahus Likud Party, and for 15 years has been notorious for racism and violence, including an incident last spring in which fans stormed a local mall chanting Death to Arabs and beat up several Arab employees. Founded in 1936, it is the only one of Israels professional soccer teams never to have recruited an Arab player.
The current controversy concerns the teams addition of two Muslim players from Chechnya. Although one is injured, the other is expected to play for the first time in a match on Sunday against a team from Sakhnin, an Arab-Israeli town.
In anticipation of the Muslim players arrival, some fans unfurled a banner at the teams Jan. 26 game saying Beitar Pure Forever. Some critics said the banner was reminiscent of Nazi Germanys expulsion of Jews from sport, and it led to nationwide soul-searching.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/09/world/middleeast/arson-destroys-office-of-israel-soccer-team-that-recruited-muslims.html?_r=0