How Amsterdam incidents led to ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in UK match?

• Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters barred from Aston Villa match over hooliganism and clash risks, citing past violence in Amsterdam.

English police reports have revealed that fears of “ongoing street clashes” between extremist fans of the 'Israeli' team Maccabi Tel Aviv and pro-Palestinian groups in Birmingham city centre were the main reason for the controversial ban on away supporters for the Aston Villa Europa League match.

Authorities were concerned that hardline Maccabi fans might deliberately target Muslim communities and provoke confrontations, repeating incidents that occurred during a Europa League game in Amsterdam in November 2024.

The fixture was classified as “high risk,” and although other options were considered, banning the visiting fans was deemed the safest measure.

Details from the police report

West Midlands Police highlighted several intelligence sources, with Dutch authorities providing the most detailed warnings:

• Hundreds of Maccabi fans in Amsterdam were actively involved in demonstrations and confrontations.
• Around 500–600 supporters deliberately targeted Muslim communities, committing hate-motivated crimes including assaults on taxi drivers, throwing people into a river, tearing down Palestine flags, and chanting inflammatory songs.
• Dutch police described the group as “experienced fighters, highly organized and intent on violence,” who did not hesitate to confront law enforcement.

Decision to ban fans in Birmingham

West Midlands Police assessed that the match carried a “high likelihood of ongoing violence” from extremist Maccabi supporters, raising serious concerns among local communities.

• Alternatives, such as playing behind closed doors, were dismissed as unfair to Aston Villa fans and inappropriate for managing tensions.
• Banning Maccabi fans was considered “the least risky option” to prevent large-scale disorder.
• Police acknowledged that the measure could be perceived as antisemitic or anti-'Israel', and emphasized careful communication to explain the decision.

European precedents

Authorities cited similar fan bans across Europe as established tactics:

• Lazio fans banned at Ajax due to racism and antisemitism concerns.
• Glasgow Rangers supporters barred from European matches over sectarian chanting.
• Eintracht Frankfurt fans banned from a match against Napoli due to fears of violence.
• Barcelona supporters banned from a Red Star Belgrade game over previous racist behavior.

Matchday outcome

Despite the absence of away supporters, the match on November 6 required a major police presence. Around 700 officers were deployed, and 11 arrests were made.

Some confrontations occurred, but no significant violence or damage was reported.