No Maccabi Tel Aviv fans allowed at Aston Villa for Europa League tie
West Midlands Police said the upcoming game was classed as “high risk” after a “thorough assessment”.
A spokesman said: “This decision is based on available intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offenses during the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.
“Based on our professional judgment, we believe this measure will help reduce risks to public safety.
“While the safety certificate was issued by Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police supports the decision to ban fans from attending.”
Arrests were made following the violence that broke out before the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in November last year.
Amsterdam authorities described the violence as “a toxic combination of anti-Semitism, hooliganism and anger” over the war in Gaza, Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East.
The ceasefire in Gaza came into force on October 10.
Droitwich and Evesham MP Nigel Huddleston criticized the decision and said he had asked Culture Minister Lisas Nandy to investigate.
HE He wrote on social media:, external “Football and sport have a tremendous unifying power. This decision capitulates to the forces of hatred and division.
“Are we seriously saying that in modern Britain we cannot guarantee the safety of Jewish people on our streets and on our sports grounds? That’s fine with me.”
“Every effort should be made by all stakeholders to overturn this decision.”
Protests have been held at various sporting events related to the war in Gaza, including the Israeli national team’s match against Norway and Italy in the recent World Cup qualifiers.
39 people were arrested following the violence that broke out in the preparations for Villa’s match against Legia Warsaw in 2023.
