Shocking video shows Maccabi Haifa fans throwing objects at rivals amid ‘Palestine’ chant claims

Violence marred a Champions League qualifier amid claims an Israeli side was taunted with ‘Palestine’ chants, shocking video has revealed.

Israel-based side Maccabi Haifa played Maltese team Hamrun Spartans in the first leg of their first qualifying round match for the top European competition on Tuesday evening at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali, Malta.

Messay Dego’s side, the clear favourites, won 4-0 thanks to a double from Frantzdy Pierrot, plus strikes from Dean David and Anan Khalaili.

But the clash descended into violence in the stands as footage released on social media shows Maccabi fans throwing things at their Spartans counterparts.

There are claims the home supporters sang ‘Palestine, Palestine’ to taunt the Maccabi end.

Fans of the Israeli side (right) threw objects into the home end (left) at the Centenary Stadium in Malta on Tuesday evening amid claims the Spartans supporters sang ‘Palestine, Palestine’

Footage shows the visiting fans throw numerous projectiles into the larger home end.

With the small grey metal fences between the supporters struggling to hold, police aim to push the two sets of rivals apart.

Numerous punches are thrown as several fans from both sides try to clear the fences and infiltrate the other team’s section of supporters. 

The match had to be halted for half an hour due to flares thrown onto the field of play.

European governing body UEFA will wait for the delegate’s report before deciding on how to respond and what action to take. 

Israel and Palestine have been locked in conflict since the mid-20th century.

The match was forced to be stopped for half an hour due to several flares thrown on the pitch

Maccabi Haifa reached the Champions League group stages last season, facing PSG (right)

Maccabi fans set off flares in the away end when they faced PSG in Paris in October 2022