[1][2] In February, Malmö's red-green city coalition decided to close the match to the public, a decision that was criticised by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

[1][3][4] The Mayor of Malmö, Ilmar Reepalu, said he believed the game should not be played at all due to what he described as crimes against human rights committed by Israel in the conduct of the Gaza War.

[25] The Swedish Tennis Association responded by issuing penalties to Malmö mayor Ilmar Reepalu for his involvement in the event.

[26] Due to the protest and riots as well as the games being played to empty stands, rabbi Abraham Cooper and historian Harold Brackman accused Sweden and Malmö of antisemitism and apartheid in an article in The Jerusalem Post.

"[8] A 2012 European Men's Handball Championship qualifier between Sweden and Israel set to be played in Karlskrona in June 2011 raised concerns due to the riots, and was considered for moving to another location by Swedish sports authorities.