Israeli
football team Maccabi Haifa's game against French side Lille had to be
stopped after pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the pitch.
Supporters
of reportedly Turkish origin ran onto the field in the Austrian stadium
where the game was played and headed for the Maccabi players, sparking
ugly scenes.
One
of the players is seen to trip a fan before punches were thrown. The
Maccabi players - some of whom retaliated - managed to leave the field
unhurt.
Maccabi
Haifa denounced the attack, saying the club 'believes in co-existence, tolerance and is against
violence'
A club
statement given to the Jerusalem Post added: 'This didn't happen because
of sport or football, it happened because we are a team which
represents Israel.'
The incident comes amid fears of growing
anti-Semitism in Europe at time when Israeli forces are locked in a
violent conflict with militant group Hamas in Gaza.
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