UK police ban 'Israeli' fans from Aston Villa Europa League match

A decision to bar supporters of 'Israeli' football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their Europa League match at Aston Villa in Birmingham has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and Jewish organizations.

West Midlands Police (WMP) classified the match on 6 November as a "high risk" event, citing violent clashes and hate crimes that occurred during Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 2024 match against Ajax in Amsterdam. A local Safety Advisory Group (SAG), a multi-agency forum coordinated by the city council, recommended that no away fans attend to prevent potential safety risks.

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour Party, condemned the decision, stating, "This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation."

Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Party leader, called the ban a "national disgrace" and urged Starmer to guarantee that Jewish fans could enter any stadium in the country safely. She warned that failing to do so would send a "horrendous and shameful message: there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go."

Jewish advocacy groups also voiced opposition. The Jewish Leadership Council described it as “perverse that away fans should be banned because West Midlands Police can't guarantee their safety,” while the Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was “another alarming sign of how British authorities are failing to ensure that Jews can participate safely and equally in public life.”

'Israel’s' Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, called the decision “shameful” and urged it be reversed.

However, independent MP Ayoub Khan welcomed the ban, stating that “there had been so much hostility and uncertainty around the match that it was only right to take drastic measures.” He and fellow MP Jeremy Corbyn had co-signed a petition urging the restriction, which gathered 3,861 signatures.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign went further, calling for the match to be cancelled entirely and accusing 'Israel' of committing "genocide and apartheid," while 'Israeli' authorities maintain that they are combating Hamas..

Aston Villa confirmed that the decision followed guidance from West Midlands Police and the SAG. A club statement said, "West Midlands Police have advised the SAG that they have public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night. The club are in continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities throughout this ongoing process, with the safety of supporters attending the match and the safety of local residents at the forefront of any decision."

West Midlands Police added that the classification of the game as "high risk" was based on thorough assessments, past incidents, and current intelligence, emphasizing their zero-tolerance stance on hate crime.

Birmingham City Council also noted that the decision was the outcome of a multi-agency review prioritizing public safety.