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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Martin McMillan

Israel boss advises Liel Abada to stay at Celtic to prove the 'haters' wrong

ISRAEL boss Alon Hazan has advised Liel Abada to stay at Celtic – and claimed that the side's fans are "known to be antisemitic".

He also claimed that the Hoops' Israeli international "demanded" the Parkhead board condemn their fans' pro-Palestine displays in recent weeks.

Abada is currently sidelined and expected to be out for another couple of months after picking up a thigh injury on international duty in September.

The 22-year-old reportedly held meetings with the Parkhead board over the since-banned Green Brigade's banners and chants about the Middle East conflict. Former Celtic star Nir Bitton also vocally expressed his outrage at the supporters' group.

And Israel boss Hazan was asked in a homeland interview what advice he would give to Abada and international teammate  Shon Weissman, who didn't travel last week to Granada's La Liga match against Osasuna in the Basque country for security reasons.

He said: "Liel Abada doesn't need me to step into his shoes.

"He did his military national service to the state and did a fine job. He demanded that Celtic's management issue a condemnation against their fans, who are known to be antisemitic, even though there were many Israeli players who played for this club.

"Weissman was not afraid to play in Spain, the security forces advised him not to do it.

"Both of them have to play and be there at their clubs every day.

"Their presence is the biggest victory. That's the only way to cause the haters the greatest damage."

Israel have been ordered to play four matches in a nine-day period this month because of the war in their homeland, which saw their games in October postponed and will play their 'home' matches in Hungary as they attempt to qualify for the Euros for the first time.

Abada won't be available due to injury, but the Israeli boss is fuming at what he thinks is UEFA's lack of sympathy towards their plight.

He pointed out: "If I was surprised at UEFA's behaviour, I would be disappointed in myself.

"Take the game in Belgium about two weeks ago, when a terrorist killed two Swedish fans. We could then hear the deep shock from them.

"But in our case, with 1,400 murdered and more than 220 kidnapped, for some reason the shock and condemnation were less significant.

"We don't think for a moment by handing them a gift by leaving. We will present ourselves with an Israeli flag at these games. They won't make us disappear."

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