Shabana Mahmood was told of Maccabi Tel Aviv ban plans a week ago and ‘had not objected’: Hamas victim likens police decision to a sign saying ‘no Jews allowed’

Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood were locked in an extraordinary stand-off with police last night over controversial plans to ban Israeli football fans from a match in Birmingham.

The Prime Minister strongly opposed the decision to prevent Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the club’s Europa League match against Aston Villa next month and said the Government would do ‘everything in our power’ to have the decision reversed.

However, last night it was revealed that Ms Mahmood was personally warned a week before the decision became final and did not object.

Furious police chiefs have told ministers they must change the law if they want to take direct responsibility for policing matches. Police were still resisting political pressure last night to lift the ban, which they defended on security grounds.

West Midlands Police’s decision to ban Maccabi fans has triggered outrage from politicians and Aston Villa fans alike.

The Prime Minister said that the authorities took the ‘wrong decision’ and claimed that this decision was taken to prevent Jewish fans from being attacked in the predominantly Muslim region. ‘We will not tolerate anti-Semitism on our streets,’ he said. ‘The role of the police is to ensure that all football fans can enjoy the game without fear of violence or intimidation.’

Downing Street said the football-loving Prime Minister believed sport was a ‘unifying force’ and was ‘angry’ at the decision. But last night Home Office sources admitted Ms Mahmood had been personally briefed on the situation by West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford the previous week. They insisted that he was incapable of taking action because no final decision had been made.

It appears that the Council of Ministers was also informed. No 10 said Sir Keir was not given advance warning but refused to say whether his officials had been informed. Describing the ban as a ‘national disgrace’, Kemi Badenoch said the Home Secretary had ‘serious questions to answer’.

Last night it was revealed that Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood (pictured) was personally warned of the impending decision a week before it was finalized and did not object.

The Conservative Party leader added: ‘This is a weak government that fails to act when necessary. ‘We now learn that Shabana Mahmood knew that Jewish football fans were banned from UK stadiums and did nothing.’

British-Israeli Emily Damari, an avid Maccabi fan who was held captive by Hamas for more than a year before being released in January, said: ‘I wonder exactly what British society has become. ‘It’s like putting a big sign outside the stadium saying ‘Jews not allowed’.’

Israeli deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel accused police of ‘appalling’ double standards after allowing tens of thousands of Muslim and Left-wing activists to march in London. The Campaign Against Antisemitism also said it would launch a judicial review ‘to overturn this harmful ban’.

The match on 6 November was classed as high risk by police based on ‘intelligence and previous incidents’. Police drew attention to violent clashes and hate crime incidents during the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam last year.

Following talks between ministers and the police, the Government said the force had been asked to present a new plan next week setting out what additional resources would be needed to enable Israeli fans to attend matches safely.

Birmingham City Council’s Safety Advisory Group, which made the final decision on the advice of the police, is also expected to discuss the situation again next week.

A Government spokesman said: ‘No one should be prevented from watching a football match just because of who they are. ‘The government is working with the police force and other partners to do everything we can to ensure this game goes ahead safely with all fans in attendance.’

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick and Reform MP Danny Kruger have suggested the chief constable should be sacked if he refuses to back down.

Mr Jenrick said: ‘Send as many police officers as necessary to let in up to 1,000 Maccabi fans. If he doesn’t change his mind, fire the police chief. ‘Deal with the extremist imams in Birmingham who have spent the last few days inciting hatred.’

Aston Villa Jewish Villans supporters club said: ‘In the summer of 1938, on the tour to Germany, the name Aston Villa became famous worldwide as the only visiting team to refuse an official request to give a Nazi salute before kick-off. Today the same club has been forced by local authorities to salute modern-day Nazism.’