Supporters of the Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv have been prohibited from attending their upcoming Europa League fixture at Aston Villa.
Authorities in Birmingham are facing increasing calls to overturn the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Europa League match scheduled for November 6 at Aston Villa’s stadium, citing security concerns.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized the police’s recommendation to exclude the visiting supporters, labeling it “the wrong decision.” He emphasized that “the police’s responsibility is to guarantee that all football fans can enjoy the match without fear of violence or intimidation.”
Starmer’s spokesperson, Geraint Ellis, revealed on Friday that the prime minister was “deeply frustrated by the ruling” and that the government is actively seeking to reverse the ban.
The move has also been met with disapproval from various politicians, sports bodies, and Jewish organizations. Simon Foster, the elected official overseeing Birmingham’s police force, called for an “immediate reassessment” of the ban, while local mayor Richard Parker urged officials to devise “a practical solution,” potentially involving government funding to support policing efforts.
Concerns Over Matchday Security
Aston Villa announced on Thursday that the police had raised “public safety concerns outside the stadium and the capacity to manage any possible protests during the event.”
West Midlands Police classified the fixture as high risk “based on current intelligence and past incidents,” including violent episodes and hate crimes linked to Maccabi Tel Aviv’s previous match against Ajax in Amsterdam last season.
While fan bans are occasionally imposed in European football, they are uncommon and usually stem from a history of clashes between rival supporters. Notably, there is no record of violence between Aston Villa and Maccabi fans.
However, Maccabi supporters have increasingly attracted attention over the past year, partly due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. For instance, during a Europa League match in Amsterdam last season, Maccabi fans were involved in violent confrontations with local residents, resulting in dozens of arrests and several hospitalizations.
Similarly, in Italy this week, heightened security measures-including snipers stationed on stadium rooftops-were implemented for a World Cup qualifier between Italy and Israel, which was designated as a high-risk event. Earlier that day, around 10,000 people participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration. Later, approximately 50 masked individuals clashed with police, who responded with water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The upcoming match at Villa Park marks Maccabi’s first away game in the Europa League since pro-Palestinian protests erupted at their fixture against PAOK in Thessaloniki, Greece, on September 24. Roughly 120 Maccabi fans traveled to Greece and were kept behind police barriers before entering the stadium.
UEFA, the governing body of European football, had been considering suspending Israeli teams from its competitions prior to the recent ceasefire in Gaza. Although Israel is geographically outside Europe, its national team and clubs participate in UEFA tournaments.
UEFA Advocates for Maccabi Fans’ Attendance at Villa Park
In response to the ban announced on Thursday, UEFA called on UK authorities to facilitate the attendance of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters at the match.
“UEFA encourages fans to travel and support their teams in a safe, secure, and welcoming atmosphere,” the organization stated. “We urge both clubs and relevant authorities to collaborate on implementing appropriate measures to enable this.”
Jack Angelides, CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv, voiced his disappointment, describing the ban as “a troubling signal.”
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli dual citizen who was held hostage by Hamas for over a year before her release in January, and a supporter of both Maccabi and Tottenham Hotspur, also condemned the prohibition.
“Football has the power to unite people regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or background, but this reprehensible decision does the opposite,” she stated. “It’s shameful. I hope the authorities reconsider and reverse this ban.”
