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The government is actively working to overturn the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a football match in Birmingham. Aston Villa’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) has decided that fans of the Israeli club should not be permitted to attend the Europa League fixture on 6 November due to safety concerns. In response to mounting pressure, the government is collaborating with the police and exploring the potential need for additional resources to address the situation. A meeting of the SAG to discuss the match is scheduled for next week, according to the Home Office.
A government spokesperson emphasized the importance of not preventing individuals from watching a football game based on their identity alone. They highlighted ongoing efforts with the police and other organizations to ensure the safe attendance of all fans at the upcoming game. Following the announcement on Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer criticized the decision to block fans, labeling it as “wrong” and emphasizing zero tolerance for antisemitism. The SAG will review its decision if West Midlands Police alters its risk assessment for the match, stated Birmingham City Council.
The classification of the fixture as “high risk” by West Midlands Police stems from current intelligence and past incidents involving violent clashes and hate crime offenses between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam in November 2024. The toxic combination of antisemitism, hooliganism, and geopolitical tensions over the Middle East conflict was noted as contributing to the violence. The Home Office was informed of potential restrictions on visiting fans last week, with criticism directed at Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for the perceived lack of action in preventing the ban.
Criticism of the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans has come from various political parties and Israeli government officials. While the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK disapproved of the move, the Green Party supported it, characterizing opposition as irresponsible interference with local safety judgments. Independent MP Ayoub Khan argued the ban was a moral issue related to broader geopolitical concerns, echoing safety worries following the violence in Amsterdam. The decision has evoked shock and disappointment from British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari, who views football as a unifying force irrespective of background or beliefs
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