Austria is preparing a special security operation ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Nations League match against Israel in Linz after European soccer’s governing body classified the fixture as a “high-risk match” because of the political climate and sensitivities surrounding the encounter.
According to Austria’s APA news agency, the Austrian Football Association has been coordinating closely with national authorities and representatives of the Israeli team for some time. A special organizational meeting will also be held on matchday, while two demonstrations connected to the game have already been registered in Linz.
Israel national team players
(Photo: AP Photo/Hameraldi Agolli)
UEFA is also directly involved in the preparations. The organization will hold a security meeting on the evening before the game and send two security officers of its own.
Representatives of UEFA, the Austrian association, local authorities and the Israeli side are expected to attend the meetings. “The aim is to take precautions in all areas. We want to ensure that all the different groups can enjoy a safe experience at the stadium,” Austrian Football Association CEO Bernhard Neuhold said.
Austria has hosted Israel twice in recent years, in Vienna in 2019 and Klagenfurt in 2021. Both matches passed without significant security incidents, although Neuhold said those games also required preparations beyond the normal security arrangements.
“We are aware of the implications this time as well, but we are also confident that we will be able to manage it well,” he said. “We have an experienced organizing team, and for years we have relied on proven procedures and close communication with the authorities when it comes to high-risk matches.”
Israeli security personnel are also assisting with preparations for the match, although Austrian officials said they did not know how many would be present in Linz. “We don’t receive that information. But it can be assumed that they will carry out their work with the utmost professionalism,” Neuhold said.
He added that the relatively small number of Israeli supporters expected to attend the match should also make the security operation easier to manage.