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Hampden is set to be targeted by protesters again after Scotland’s women were drawn with Israel in their World Cup qualifiers.
A major security alert was sparked last time the teams met at the national stadium, in a European campaign in May 2024, when a man chained himself to the goalposts during the match in protest at Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
Following Tuesday's news that the sides have been paired in competition once more - in a group alongside Belgium and Luxembourg - campaigners Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card revealed that they are already planning to take action.
A post on Twitter read: ‘Get ready to protest again folks. Israel’s women’s team will be playing Scotland next year and it’s our duty to say NO to sportswashing of genocide.’
The 2024 game was played behind closed doors. It took place just five months after Hamas’ terror attack on southern Israel, which saw approximately 1,200 people killed and 251 abducted.
While protests were staged outside Hampden involving several hundred demonstrators, the qualifier had to be halted when a protester made his way on to the pitch past startled players.
A protester had to be cut free after chaining himself to goalpost during Scotland-Israel game at Hampden in May 2024
The game was played behind closed doors, coming just months after the Hamas terror attack on Israel
As the teams took refuge in their dressing rooms, he was be cut free from the posts and led away by police. It was believed he had been mistaken for a steward after gaining entry to the stadium as he was earlier seen wearing a hi-vis vest.
Scotland went on to win the match 4-1, before winning the away fixture 5-0 the following month. That game was also played without supporters in neutral Hungary after UEFA decided no matches in its competitions could be held in Israel for security reasons.
Now the SFA will be bracing themselves for further protests at the national stadium as demonstrators target the World Cup qualifier.
Dates and venues are still to be set for all six games in the group, but they will be held between March 3 and June 9 next year.
The news that Scotland are playing the Israelis comes at a particularly sensitive time.
More than 700 police officers will be on duty for Aston Villa’s high-profile Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv as part of a huge security operation on Thursday evening.
West Midlands police will also deploy drones, dogs, horses and ‘protest liaison officers’, while a no-fly zone will be in place at Villa Park.
The scale of the operation is unprecedented based upon the fact there will - officially - be no supporters of the visiting side in attendance.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Hampden on the evening of the match
A huge Palestinian flag was unfurled as protesters began chanting near the national stadium
Pro-Palestinian supporters waved flags and held banners outside Hampden Park in Glasgow
However, police are on alert for fans of the Israeli club securing tickets in the home section, and the potential for in and around Villa Park and Birmingham.
West Midlands Police were criticised after telling a Safety Advisory Group which provides a licence to stage the game that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should be banned from attending amid security concerns.
The move triggered a global backlash and involvement from the Prime Minister, who urged a rethink. However, Maccabi then said they would not accept any tickets amid concerns the fixture would be hijacked by those seeking to score politicial points.
Asked about the draw on Tuesday and how it might affect her team, Scotland women’s head coach Melissa Andreatta said: ‘It’s all about football and, for us, we’ll focus on the football game and preparing ourselves and focusing on ourselves and what we can control to ensure that we perform on matchday.’
On the potential for disruption to her squad’s preparations, the 46-year-old Australian added: ‘These players are professionals. They’ve been around long enough now and have experienced lots of different things that come with football matches. They’ll be focused like we have been in the past, again, for a good performance come matchday.’
With no opportunity to qualify automatically for the World Cup from League B, Scotland would need to come through a play-off campaign after a successful group stage if they are to claim a place at the finals in Brazil in 2027.
Andreatta insisted there had been ‘a positive reaction’ to the draw, and said her players were ‘hungry’ to reach the World Cup finals.
‘This group have a desire to make the nation proud, their friends and family proud of how they go about doing that, and are a team that, when they focus on their strengths, they believe in themselves that anything’s possible.’
The SFA were last night asked for comment.
