**Israeli Basketball Team Seeks Cyprus Home for EuroLeague Games**
Maccabi Tel Aviv, a prominent Israeli basketball club, has formally requested to host its EuroLeague home games in Cyprus. The club submitted a letter to President Nikos Christodoulides on Tuesday, expressing its intention to use the island as a venue for its matches. This proposal follows Maccabi's recent participation in the Neophytos Chandriotis tournament held in Nicosia, which served as a test for the necessary facilities, accommodation, transport, and security arrangements for regular games.
While the government of Cyprus has acknowledged the request, it has refrained from providing specific details to the media, citing "security considerations" as the reason for its discretion. Two potential venues are reportedly under consideration: the Tassos Papadopoulos Eleftheria Stadium in Nicosia and the Spyros Kyprianou Sports Centre in Limassol.
This latest request comes in the wake of a similar proposal made by Maccabi in June 2025, which was ultimately rejected by the Cypriot government. At that time, local police expressed concerns over their ability to ensure safety and manage the operational demands associated with hosting high-risk sporting events. Maccabi had suggested measures such as flying supporters to Cyprus on the same day as the matches, accompanied by enhanced security protocols.
The context of this request is significant, as Maccabi Tel Aviv was one of five Israeli basketball teams that played their home games in Cyprus following the October 7th Hamas attack. These matches were conducted behind closed doors due to security concerns, reflecting the heightened sensitivity surrounding events involving Israeli teams.
Concerns regarding the safety of Maccabi supporters in Cyprus have been prevalent, particularly due to previous incidents involving the club's football team. In August 2023, six Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans were arrested in Larnaca prior to a match against AEK after police discovered flares and smoke bombs in their possession. Four of these supporters later pleaded guilty to possessing banned items. On that occasion, authorities received intelligence suggesting that a group of Omonia hooligans intended to confront Maccabi fans, prompting police intervention. Although no serious altercations occurred, tensions remained high, culminating in an incident days later where approximately ten Maccabi supporters attacked five AEK fans in Tel Aviv.
Maccabi Tel Aviv is recognized as one of the most established clubs in basketball history and is a regular participant in the EuroLeague, the premier European professional basketball competition. The club's efforts to secure a home venue in Cyprus illustrate its ongoing commitment to maintaining its presence in international competitions, despite the challenges posed by regional security issues.
As discussions continue between Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Cypriot government, the outcome will depend on the assessment of security risks and the feasibility of hosting such high-profile matches on the island. The situation remains fluid, with both parties likely to navigate the complexities of ensuring safety for players and fans alike while fostering international sporting ties.