‘No Mercy’ for Maccabi Tel Aviv Supporters
British Cleric’s Chilling Threat to Israeli Soccer Fans Sparks Fury
A viral video of British cleric Asrar Rashid threatening Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of their Aston Villa match sparks outrage, heightening tensions in Birmingham amid the Gaza ceasefire.
A shocking video from British Islamic scholar Asrar Rashid has set social media ablaze, with the Birmingham-based cleric issuing a menacing warning to Maccabi Tel Aviv fans traveling to the city for a UEFA Europa Conference League clash against Aston Villa F.C. on November 6. In a fiery rant, Rashid declared, “We will not show mercy to Maccabi Tel Aviv fans traveling to Birmingham for the Aston Villa F.C. match,” escalating tensions as he invoked Islamic rulings to justify deceit against Israeli soldiers: “If you make a deal with an IDF soldier, take his money if you win, but do not pay him if you lose, that’s the Islamic ruling.”
The provocative remarks have ignited a firestorm of outrage and accusations of incitement amid a charged atmosphere following the Gaza ceasefire.
The video, shared by accounts like @Osint613 and @MEMRIReports, shows Rashid speaking directly to the camera in a casual setting, his words overlaid with English subtitles for maximum impact. He frames his call as part of a broader anti-Zionist stance, tying it to “offensive jihad” and resistance against perceived oppression, a theme consistent with his history of inflammatory sermons.
The cleric, no stranger to controversy, has previously championed “pre-emptive strikes” against Zionists and condemned prayers for Jewish peace as betrayal, earning him a following among hardline pro-Palestinian activists in the UK.Rashid’s latest outburst comes as some Muslim groups in Birmingham push to cancel the high-stakes soccer match at Villa Park, citing safety fears linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has flared anew since the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire last week. The cleric has been spotted at rallies alongside figures like MP Ayoub Khan and lawyer Akhmed Yakoob, both criticized for their ties to him, including a September 2025 protest where Rashid called to “smash Zionism.”
Online, the reaction has been explosive. X users slammed authorities, questioning why Rashid faces no consequences when similar rhetoric from others has led to arrests, fueling cries of “two-tier policing.” Meanwhile, even a Muslim commentator, branded the clip “vile,” rejecting it as unrepresentative of Islamic values.
As Birmingham police bolster security around Villa Park, neither Maccabi Tel Aviv nor Aston Villa has commented publicly, but the city braces for a tense lead-up to the match.
No official investigation into Rashid’s remarks has been announced as of Wednesday afternoon, leaving the controversy to simmer in a divided community.