A high-risk classification triggers a fan ban for Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. at Aston Villa F.C.’s Europa League tie amid uproar

Supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv will be barred from attending their Europa League away fixture at Aston Villa on 6 November, after Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) classified the match as “high-risk” due to public-safety concerns.

The decision followed advice from West Midlands Police, which cited “current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate-crime offences” at a 2024 fixture between Maccabi and Ajax in Amsterdam.

In a statement, Aston Villa confirmed: “The club has been informed that no away fans may attend the UEFA Europa League match with Maccabi Tel Aviv … following an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group.”

The UK Government quickly intervened, with ministers saying they were exploring options to reverse the ban. Downing Street said it was “looking into what additional resources and support are required so all fans can attend.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised the decision, calling it “the wrong one”, and stated that the UK “will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.” He added that the job of the police is to ensure all supporters can enjoy football “without fear of violence or intimidation.”

The region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, demanded an immediate review of the ban and requested all relevant documents from the SAG and West Midlands Police. He said the decision must be shown to be “appropriate, necessary, justified, reasonable and proportionate.”

Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch described the ban as a “national disgrace”, saying it sent a dangerous message about the safety of Jewish fans in the UK.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the move as “shameful” and called on UK authorities to reconsider.

The backdrop to the decision includes violent incidents during Maccabi Tel Aviv’s away match against Ajax in Amsterdam last year, where several arrests were made after orchestrated attacks on supporters. Citing those events, West Midlands Police said the classification of “high risk” was based on tangible data and intelligence.

While there is no record of trouble between Aston Villa and Maccabi fans, officials noted growing tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian protests and the broader international climate as factors in the decision.

Critics of the ban have warned that the ruling could set a troubling precedent for sporting fairness and equality. Instead of ensuring protection for travelling fans, they argue, the police response effectively punishes supporters for risks beyond their control.

The Jewish Leadership Council said it was “perverse that away fans should be banned because police can’t guarantee their safety,” calling for the government to ensure appropriate security measures instead.

The decision has also drawn scrutiny from European football bodies and rights groups, who view the ban as a failure to balance safety with the fundamental principle of equal access for all fans. They argue that barring a set of supporters based solely on risk assessments undermines UEFA’s own standards of fair competition and inclusivity.

As the November fixture approaches, uncertainty looms over whether the ban will be upheld, reversed, or modified with new safety conditions. What began as a local policing decision has now escalated into a national debate on public safety, religious tolerance, and the politicisation of sport.

The controversy around Maccabi Tel Aviv’s exclusion has become more than a football issue—it’s a reflection of the UK’s struggle to reconcile free access to public events with fears of unrest in a highly charged international climate.