Other regions throughout the world, however have failed to display the same civilized level of tolerance. Both racism and fascism are rampant throughout the sports world, with the most recent example popping up in Israel. According to a report by Ntv, fans reacted negatively to the Israeli club Beitar Jerusalem's intentions to add two Muslim Chechen players to the team.
Fans of the Israeli Premier League team Beitar Jerusalem recently protested the club administration's plans to transfer two Muslim footballers from the Chechen Terek Gorzny team.
During a league game played over the weekend, a group of fans displayed a sign reading "Beitar will always remain pure." Other fans in the stadium were seen applauding the gesture.
Arkady Gaydamak, Russian billionaire and owner of the club, which has yet to sign an Arab player, has announced his insistence on bringing on the two Chechen players, despite the reactions from the club's supporters.
Expressing his frustration with the incident, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin dished up harsh criticism of the fans' actions. "Imagine what would happen if clubs in England and Germany were to decide not to allow a Jew to join the team. We, as the Jews, are people that need to put an end to fascism and racism.
The sole Muslim footballer that has ever played for the Beitar Jerusalem club was İbdrahim Nadalla, who was eventually forced to leave the club due to the hostility he felt from the team's fans.
