The decision to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending their team’s upcoming match against Aston Villa has been publicly criticised as the “wrong decision” by the Prime Minister.
The ban, affecting fans of the Israeli team, was announced on Thursday by the body responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches, citing safety concerns surrounding the Europa League fixture scheduled for 6 November. See report here.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has voiced his disapproval of the move, stating, “we will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets,” and asserting that the police’s role is “to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”
Conservative figurehead Kemi Badenoch characterised the decision as a “national disgrace” and suggested Sir Keir should intervene to overturn it.
In a post on X, Badenoch urged Starmer to “guarantee that Jewish fans can walk into any football stadium in this country.”
“If not, it sends a horrendous and shameful message: there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go,” she added.
West Midlands Police have stated that the match is classified as high risk, expressing concerns about managing potential protests at Villa Park.
The assessment is reportedly based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including “violent clashes and hate crime offences” between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam in November 2024.
That incident resulted in over 60 arrests, with city officials condemning a “toxic combination of antisemitism, hooliganism, and anger” related to the conflict in Gaza, Israel, and the wider Middle East.
The Safety Advisory Group has informed Aston Villa that no travelling fans will be permitted at the upcoming match in Birmingham.
Aston Villa has responded that it remains in “continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities,” emphasising that the safety of supporters and local residents is “at the forefront of any decision.”
UEFA, the governing body for European football, has affirmed its desire for fans to travel and support their teams in “a safe, secure and welcoming environment.”
Speaking to Reuters, UEFA stated, “In all cases, the competent local authorities remain responsible for decisions related to the safety and security of matches taking place on their territory.”
Ayoub Khan, the independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, has welcomed the decision, stating, “From the moment that the match was announced, it was clear that there were latent safety risks that even our capable security and police authorities would not be able to fully manage.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has described the decision as “shameful” and has called for its reversal.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey added his voice to the criticism, calling it “a serious mistake,” and stating, “You don’t tackle antisemitism by banning its victims. This decision must be reversed.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has asserted that the move “takes racial discrimination to a whole new level.”
Numerous sporting events have witnessed protests related to the conflict in Gaza, including recent World Cup qualifiers involving Israel’s national team against Norway and Italy.
Earlier in the week, the Prime Minister stated that it was his “responsibility” to address the feelings of “insecurity and unsafe[ty]” within the Jewish community, especially following the attack at a Manchester synagogue in early October that resulted in two fatalities.
During a visit to the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity providing security to Jewish sites, he told Jewish News: “We have heard loud and clear in the last few days and weeks that words are not enough. Action is what matters, and we’re absolutely committed to that.”