An unusual storm broke out after the interplay between Maccabi Haifa and the Polish Rakov, as part of the third round of Conpense-League, became a political and media confrontation. During the game in Debtzwitz, the Haifa stands a sign with the caption: “murderers since 1939” – a reference to Poland’s department in the murder of the Jews in the Holocaust. In addition, a group fan wrapped in a puppet on Polish flag and performed a mini act, which sets public wrath and media in Poland.
The sign was seen in response to the sign that Rakov fans in the previous game, which reads: “Israel kills and the world is silent.” However, Poland strongly condemned the move. President Carroll Nabrocki wrote that this is a “scandal. Fillets cannot be described in words,” and Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Kuziniak-Kamish demanded an acute response from UEFA.
The scandalous banner posted by Maccabi Hajf supporters offends the memory of Polish citizens of World War II, among which there were 3 million Jews. Stupidity that no words explain.
– Karol Nawrocki (@nawrockikn) August 14, 2025
Rakov herself issued an unusual announcement, which reads: “We have made an official complaint to UEFA, and we asked to keep the Israeli club away from European competitions next season due to repeated violations.” It was further stated that “Poles often risked their lives in hiding Jews and organizing a resistance against Nazi Germany,” while remembering 7,280 Poles.
In response to the storm, UEFA announced the opening of disciplinary proceedings against the two groups: Maccabi Haifa for “inappropriate behavior” and “a message that is inappropriate for a sporting event”, and Rakov for lighting aviation.
Poland is raging tonight. An international incident is brewing.
The Conference League tie between Maccabi Haifa & Rakow Częstochowa has incensed a whole country.
In the first leg (see quoted tweet), Rakow fans had held up a banner saying “Israel murders & the world is silent”.… https://t.co/SoS8Gfkjur pic.twitter.com/KufStPkr6n
— Ben Green (@BenGreenJeru) August 14, 2025
Maccabi Haifa owners, Jacob Shachar, gave an interview with the Polish site GOAL.PL, in which she apologized: “I apologize, we will not go to the agenda. I am of Polish origin, my father was born in the country. Shachar added that this is a “100-150 group of problems” and promised that the club will work with the Association for their punishment.
However, the “Green Monkeys” fans have attacked Dawn strongly, claiming that he ignores the offensive sign that Rakov fans in the first game: “Just not upsetting the Poles and UEFA, friends of Israel.”
The tension also surfed outside the field: After the game, where Maccabi Haifa lost 2: 0 and was ousted from Europe, a stone bus was attacked by Racov fans in Hungary. In the documentation, the attackers seem to gather on a highway and make stones, which caused a lot of damage to the bus and shattering a front.
Documentation from Maccabi Haifa’s bus attack event by Rakov fans, after the game in Hashakitz@Lianwildau (Photo: according
– Here News (@kann_news) August 15, 2025
