On Friday, senior government officials are set to convene to discuss the safety ban that will prevent fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel-Aviv from attending next month’s Europa League match against Aston Villa.
The Safety Advisory Group (SAG) has informed Villa that traveling supporters will be barred from attending the match at Villa Park on November 6. This decision has already drawn criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Concerns have been raised over potential unrest related to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, but Starmer publicly opposed the ruling with a strong statement on X.
Ian Murray, the culture department minister, indicated that the issue remains unresolved. He stated on Sky News: “The Prime Minister and the Government have been clear about this. It is completely unacceptable, and the Prime Minister has affirmed that we will do everything we can to address this issue.”
“While the matter is operational for the police—where the Government typically does not intervene—the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, is meeting with the Home Office and other stakeholders today to explore possible solutions.”
Earlier on X, Starmer commented: “This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets. The police’s duty is to ensure that all football fans can attend the game without fear of violence or intimidation.”
UEFA, European football’s governing body, has also weighed in, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity for away fans. Their statement read: “UEFA wants fans to travel and support their teams in a safe and welcoming environment, and encourages both teams and relevant authorities to agree on suitable measures to facilitate this.”
UEFA added, “Local authorities are responsible for decisions concerning match safety and security, which should be determined based on comprehensive risk assessments that take individual circumstances into account.”
In response to the announcement, Aston Villa stated it will keep monitoring the situation: “The club remains in constant dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities, prioritizing the safety of supporters attending the match and local residents in all decisions.”
West Midlands Police have expressed confidence in their capacity to safely manage football matches and high-risk public events. A spokesperson noted: “We are dedicated to providing impartial policing while balancing the public’s right to protest with our responsibility for public safety.”
“Based on detailed assessments, we’ve classified the upcoming match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel-Aviv as high-risk. Although the safety certificate is issued by Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police supports the decision to restrict away supporters from attending due to current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crimes related to the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Amsterdam.
We maintain our strong support for all affected communities and stand firm against hate crime in all its forms.