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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Tom Sheen

Chelsea's next opponents waved a banner that said 'Refugees Not Welcome'

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans with the banner before the game against Kiryat Shmon (Twitter/@itsultralife01)

While English and German football fans were united in their message to refugees at the weekend, the message at one club in Israel was rather different.

With supporters across Europe unveiling 'Refugees Welcome' in response to the growing crisis, Maccabi Tel-Aviv decided to go the opposite route - displaying the message 'Refugees Not Welcome' against Kiryat Shmona.

The club will be in London on Wednesday night when they face Chelsea in the first group game of this season's Champions League. Everton 3 Chelsea 1 player ratings

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho denied that he was under pressure after losing to Everton at the weekend, instead stating that "refugees are under big pressure".

Fans of rival Tel-Aviv club Hapoel responded to the Maccabi banner with a one of their own, that read 'Who isn't a migrant here?!' to show support to the refugee crisis.

Last week, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for Israel to take in more refugees and has instead pledged to build an 18-mile border fence along the border with Jordan.

Champions League clubs, including Maccabi, have pledged to donate €1 from every ticket sold at their first home game to aid the crisis.

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain donated €1million each last week.

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