The mayor of Bologna, Matteo Lepore, on Tuesday called for the cancellation of the EuroLeague basketball game between Virtus Bologna and Maccabi Tel Aviv, which is scheduled to take place on Friday in the city. According to him, there is a real risk of public disorder and an escalation of protests following allegations against Israel of “genocide” in the Gaza Strip.
“As mayor, I want to emphasize my deep concern regarding the holding of the game on the planned date and location,” Lepore said in an official statement. “In my view, the conditions for maintaining public order are not present. The risk to the security of residents, shops and the whole city is very high. There is still time to move the game to a different date or location. I ask the Minister of Internal Affairs to reconsider it for the benefit of all.”
“We are learning from the internet that at least 5,000 to 10,000 demonstrators from all over Italy and other countries are expected to arrive in Bologna,” Lepore continued. “This situation is unacceptable. The law‑enforcement forces will be required to prepare for an exceptional effort, following the Interior Ministry’s decision to allow the game despite the assessments presented in the public‑order committee in recent days.”
The Italian Interior Ministry has decided that the match will proceed despite intelligence assessments, stating that “extremist groups will not decide whether sports matches are held.”
In Bologna, many demonstrations against Israel have taken place recently. Pro‑Palestinian youths even planned a “day of solidarity” to mark the October 7 massacre.