It's 1930 Again
Banned for Being Israeli: Row Erupts as Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Barred from UK Match
Israeli football supporters barred from Europa League game in Birmingham amid security concerns and political controversy. UK and Israeli leaders condemn the decision.
In a move celebrated by anti-Israel campaigners and fiercely condemned by British and Israeli leaders, supporters of the Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv have been banned from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham on November 6.
The decision, driven by security and public safety fears, has ignited a political firestorm, with critics calling it a shameful capitulation to anti-Israel hostility.
'High Risk' Classification and Political Pressure
Aston Villa confirmed Thursday that the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG), following advice from West Midlands Police, had formally instructed the club to admit no away fans for the November 6 fixture. The police designated the game as "high risk," citing the potential for significant public disorder and violent clashes.
A key factor underpinning the decision was the unrest that occurred last season when Maccabi Tel Aviv played Ajax in Amsterdam, an event the police referenced explicitly. While Dutch police reports noted incidents of Maccabi fans chanting anti-Arab slogans and defacing property, the ensuing disorder saw Israeli supporters targeted by what Amsterdam's mayor described as organized, "hit-and-run" assaults by pro-Palestinian mobs.
The ban, therefore, has been framed by many Jewish and Israeli groups as punishing the victims of antisemitic aggression.
MP Celebrates, Starmer Condemns
The restriction was met with immediate approval from Ayoub Khan, the Independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, whose constituency encompasses Villa Park. Khan, a known critic of Israel, had spearheaded a petition urging authorities to cancel the game or impose a ban, citing safety concerns for local residents.
"I welcome the news that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will not be permitted to watch the match at Aston Villa!" Khan stated publicly, celebrating the success of his campaign and referencing the "violence that was displayed by the fans" in Amsterdam.
However, the ban drew sharp rebukes from the UK's highest political levels, who framed the decision as a failure to guarantee the safety of Jewish supporters.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly condemned the move, stating on X:
"This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets." He added that the role of the police is to ensure all fans can enjoy the game without fear.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar labelled it a "shameful decision," calling on UK authorities to reverse the "cowardly" action. The Jewish Leadership Council in London questioned the competence of the authorities, saying it was "perverse that away fans should be banned... because West Midlands Police can't guarantee their safety."
The Call for a Full Boycott
The controversy highlights the growing politicization of Israeli sports teams competing in Europe amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Pro-Palestinian groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, had gone further than demanding a ban on fans, insisting that the match be cancelled entirely. They argued that "Israeli football teams shouldn't play in international tournaments whilst it commits genocide and apartheid," underscoring the intense, politically charged atmosphere surrounding the fixture.
As calls mount for the ban to be reversed, the decision stands as a clear signal that, for a Jewish team in a major European competition, security risks and political pressures have created an environment where simply attending a football match is deemed too dangerous.