The Voice from the Stands: The association that will try to change Israeli football
A joint body of 11 associations and fan organizations from all over the country was established with the goal of working with the heads of the industry on issues such as ticket prices, stadium entry conditions, pyrotechnics, and treatment of the crowd. The goals are ambitious, but the message is clear: "Without fans, there is no football."
For the first time in the history of Israeli football, the Football Fans Association was officially established this week. It is a body that grew from the ground up, with the goal of putting the fan experience at the center. The new association brings together 11 fan organizations from across the country to work with industry stakeholders on promoting changes concerning the lives of fans inside and outside the stands.
Among the bodies belonging to the association are: "Ahim la-Semel" (Maccabi Tel Aviv), "Ha-Ahva Ha-Kchula" (Hapoel Petah Tikva), "Ha-Zehuvim" (Bnei Yehuda), "Ha-Yatzia Ha-Tzfoni" (Maccabi Haifa), "Vasermilia" (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Kfar Saba 1928 fan club, Katamon (Hapoel Jerusalem), Ironi Kiryat Shmona fans, KIB (Maccabi Petah Tikva), Maccabi Jaffa fans, and UR-16 (Maccabi Bnei Reineh).
"Without fans, there is no football," the organization stated. "Players on the grass change, coaches come and go, owners and functionaries buy and sell. Only one asset remains constant, stable, and sustains this entire industry: we, the football fans in Israel."
The organization's leaders have already held talks with the Football Association to establish regular dialogue. Additional goals include working with the Israel Police and enforcement agencies present at stadiums.
Key issues the association plans to address include match times, fan treatment, lowering ticket and buffet prices, improving stadium entry times, accessibility, and regulating cheering culture, including the approval of pyrotechnics.
"There are currently 13 fan organizations taking part in this," said Ben Buda, representative of "Vasermilia." "This was brewing three years ago, when the 'Getting out of Shock' initiative began following incidents of police violence. We raised a flag to say we want to calm the area and demand more respect for the crowds."
Buda added, "We all suffer from the same problems. Each fan body knows how to handle things with its club, but away games are different. There is also the war against pyrotechnics and collective punishments for clubs. We want to join forces and institutionalize our cooperation."
"We are receiving backing from Football Association chairman Shino Zuaretz," Buda added. "We have met with police and Ministry of Culture and Sport representatives regarding issues like bringing water bottles into stadiums. There is a dialogue, but we will be measured by actions on the ground."
Regarding police violence, Buda noted: "Representatives from our new organization will soon travel to Germany to understand their conduct models. Germany is the perfect place to learn how to treat fans, and we hope to implement those lessons here. Sporting rivalry will remain, but there are common interests for all fans, and we want to cooperate on those."
In conclusion, Buda addressed Hapoel Be'er Sheva's impressive victory over Red Star Belgrade: "We arrived in Belgrade prepared, and the team won justifiably 2:0. This isn't the 2015/16 generation with all the stars, but we have a 'monster' on the sidelines, and with players who work hard, I hope we can reach the Champions League."
