After two and a half months of war which has dominated our lives, Maccabi returns to Bloomfield stadium (20:00) to host Maccabi Netanya for MD9 of the ONE ZERO League. This will be Maccabi’s first home match since the deadly attack of October 7th.
Ahead of the occasion, the club decided to dedicate the match to the memory of the Maccabi fans who were murdered or killed in action in the Swords of Iron war as well as the cry for the return of the hostages from Gaza.
What is expected to be a highly emotional evening will include a series of gestures:
Remembering the murdered and those who fell in action
Maccabi’s players will wear during the forthcoming match special shirts which would bear the names of the 73 Maccabi fans who were either murdered or were killed in action. At the front of the blue away shorts, the 73 names who are no longer with us, will form a shape of a Star of David.
This wouldn’t have been possible with the consent of Maccabi’s main shirt sponsor, ISRAEL CANADA, who agreed to switch the logo from the front to the back of the shirt.
Additionally, 74 seats at the lower east stand will be dressed in black shirts to commemorate each one of the Maccabi fans who died. After praying and expecting the return from captivity of Alon Shamriz who was held hostage in Gaza for 70 days, we learned on Friday of tragic death. Last Monday, during the club’s candle lighting injury, we hosted the families of hostages at Bloomfield stadium. Alon’s mother, Dikla, took part in the candle lighting ceremony as she lit orange candles which marked our prayers for their speedy release. We will honor the memory of Alon and the rest of those who were murdered and killed, with a minute of silence.
At the same time, a massive black banner will be spread on Gates 10-11 which will have the October 7th printed in the middle while on both sides additional dates marking previous deadly terrorist attacks on the State of Israel over the past decades.
A cry for the return of the hostages
The Club doesn’t and will not forget the hostages held in captivity in Gaza and as part of the national cry for their speedy return home, 6 seats will be dressed in the VIP stand to mark the number of Maccabi fans held hostage.
The four corner flags at Bloomfield were also replaced for the match as the 4 yellow flags will carry the slogan BRING THEM HOME – as we all hope for the speedy return home.
