By Sammy Jones-
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has strongly criticized the decision to prevent Israeli football fans supporting Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their side’s upcoming Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham. West Midlands Police (WMP) classified the fixture, set for November 6th, as a “high risk” event, prompting the ban on away supporters. The ruling was made by a joint safety committee, citing public safety concerns that the police argued they could not fully manage outside the stadium.
Villa Park. File pic: PA
WMP explained that the decision not to allow Maccabi Tel Aviv away fans was based partly on intelligence regarding violence in Amsterdam last year. During that incident, Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters attending a match against Ajax were caught up in attacks across the Dutch capital. WMP stated it took into account the “violent clashes and hate crime offences” that occurred in Amsterdam when classifying the upcoming fixture as high risk. The local Safety Advisory Group (SAG), a multi-agency forum coordinated by the local authority, formally wrote to Aston Villa and UEFA to advise no away fans would be permitted to attend Villa Park for this fixture.
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Responding immediately to the announcement, the Prime Minister condemned the decision. “This is the wrong decision,” he stated firmly, adding, “We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.” He stressed that the fundamental role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game without fear of violence or intimidation. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch echoed the sentiment, calling the ban a “national disgrace.” She directly challenged Sir Keir to “guarantee that Jewish fans can walk into any football stadium in this country.” The Tory leader argued that failure to do so “sends a horrendous and shameful message: there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go.” The strong bipartisan criticism underscores the gravity of excluding Maccabi Tel Aviv away fans.
The Jewish Leadership Council also heavily criticized the safety committee’s decision, calling it “perverse that away fans should be banned from a football match because West Midlands Police can’t guarantee their safety.” The Council suggested Aston Villa should face consequences for the decision and recommended the match be played behind closed doors.
Furthermore, the Campaign Against Antisemitism called the decision another alarming sign of how British authorities are failing to ensure Jews can participate safely and equally in public life. They argued that instead of confronting the antisemitic hatred that made it unsafe for Israeli fans to attend, the authorities chose instead to exclude the victims. Even Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s foreign minister, weighed in, labeling the decision “shameful” and calling for its reversal.
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The decision was not universally condemned, however. Ayoub Khan, the independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, publicly welcomed the news that Maccabi Tel Aviv away fans would not be permitted to watch the match at Aston Villa. He praised those who signed a petition he sponsored, citing “latent safety risks” that law enforcement “would not be able to fully manage.” The petition, also signed by fellow MP Jeremy Corbyn, attracted 3,861 signatures.
Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters being guarded by police in Amsterdam last November. Pic: Reuters
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, posting on X, argued the match should be cancelled entirely. They accused Israel of committing “genocide and apartheid,” arguing Israeli football teams should not play in international tournaments during this alleged conflict. Israel strongly denies committing genocide and maintains it is fighting Hamas, a terrorist organization dedicated to its destruction.
Aston Villa confirmed the decision followed safety concerns raised by officers, stating the local Safety Advisory Group advised against permitting any fans of the Israeli club. The club’s statement confirmed that West Midlands Police advised the SAG they had public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl, including the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night.
Aston Villa emphasized continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities, prioritizing the safety of all supporters and local residents. West Midlands Police stood by their decision, reaffirming that the measure, based on current intelligence and previous incidents, was necessary to “help mitigate risks to public safety.” The police concluded by reaffirming their zero-tolerance stance on hate crime.
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