Extra police in Alkmaar for Hapoel match
The city is deploying riot police and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee because of the high-risk football match and announced demonstrations.
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Extra police will be present in Alkmaar on Thursday around the Europa League match between AZ and Hapoel Be’er Sheva. The deployment is linked to announced pro-Palestinian demonstrations and the decision not to admit away supporters.
Local media report that multiple units are visibly present in and around Alkmaar, including the riot police and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. The authorities are taking account of tensions surrounding the match and the possibility that supporters of the Israeli club may still travel to the city.
The match is being played at the AFAS Stadium. The Alkmaar security triangle of the municipality, police and Public Prosecution Service previously decided that supporters of Hapoel Be’er Sheva would not be welcome. According to the municipality, the match was assessed as highly high-risk because of its geopolitical context and earlier unrest surrounding a match in Amsterdam.
A location has been designated for the demonstrations on Rhijnvis Feithlaan, opposite the stadium. The municipality previously moved the protest site from the stadium square to reduce the likelihood of confrontations between demonstrators, supporter groups and police. The protests are directed against an Israeli club taking part in the match.
The presence of possible away supporters is not the same as formal admission to the stadium. Local reports do not make clear how many people are involved, whether they actually intend to attend the match or whether anyone has been arrested. No official police count or confirmation regarding supporters has so far been made public.
The situation shows how a sporting event can turn into a security and protest issue. The municipality must facilitate the right to demonstrate, while also being responsible for public order around the stadium and in central Alkmaar.
For AZ and the organising authorities, the emphasis is on keeping supporters, demonstrators and visitors separate. The match itself is therefore part of a broader security operation. The precise outcome of the evening and any incidents were not yet known at the time of publication.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The security triangle previously decided not to admit away supporters.
- Demonstrations have been announced in Alkmaar around the match.
- Police and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee are visibly present.
Left
Arguments A ban on away supporters may be seen as a necessary measure to prevent escalation, but it must not be used to keep criticism of Israel or the war in Gaza out of public spaces.
Values Protection of the right to demonstrate, equal treatment and protection of minorities.
Consequences This approach fears that heavy security measures will discourage political protests and place a sporting event above civil rights.
Centre
Arguments The municipality must make a concrete risk assessment for each match. A temporary supporters’ ban may be defensible if the police and municipality can demonstrably not organise a safe reception, but the measure must remain explainable and open to scrutiny.
Values Public order, proportionality and rule-of-law review.
Consequences The compromise limits the risk of confrontations, but could set a precedent whereby more and more matches are played without away supporters.
Right
Arguments The authorities must prevent foreign conflicts and supporter groups from putting pressure on public order in Dutch cities. If a security threat is substantial, protecting residents and officers should take priority.
Values Authority, safety and the responsibility of organisers and visitors.
Consequences This approach accepts stricter access rules and a larger police presence, but risks restricting groups collectively on the basis of expected rather than proven offences.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The factual description of the police deployment, demonstrations and earlier supporters’ ban has been confirmed by multiple local sources. Reports about possible away supporters have explicitly been presented as unconfirmed.
- confirmed Additional police units and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee have been deployed around the match in Alkmaar. — Rodi reported the visible deployment on 15 October. source
- confirmed Away supporters of Hapoel Be’er Sheva were previously turned away. — The decision by the Alkmaar security triangle was described by Rodi and NH Nieuws. source
- confirmed Demonstrations have been announced at the match. — Rodi reported two announced pro-Palestinian demonstrations. source
- uncertain Hapoel supporters who were nevertheless present were officially counted or admitted. — Local reporting refers to the possibility that supporters may travel to Alkmaar; an official count is lacking. source
Editor's note
The additional police deployment and demonstrations were reported by local media. The number and identity of any away supporters have not been officially confirmed.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „alkmaar hapoel be'er sheva”
- NOS — „alkmaar hapoel be'er sheva”
- Het Parool — „alkmaar hapoel be'er sheva”