Fans of the Israeli soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv will not be allowed to attend a Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham, England, on November 6. The decision was announced by Aston Villa on Thursday, who cited safety concerns as the primary reason. This follows an incident last year where Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters faced violence during a game against Ajax in Amsterdam.
Aston Villa stated, “The club is in regular communication with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities as we prioritize the safety of fans and local residents.” Last year’s violent events involving Maccabi fans have already led to numerous arrests and some penalties for those involved.
At the same time, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have become common among Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. Their upcoming match against Aston Villa will mark the team’s first away game in the Europa League since protests erupted in Thessaloniki during a match on September 24. Around 120 fans were reported to have been held back by police barriers during that incident.
While UEFA considered suspending Maccabi Tel Aviv from the tournament earlier this month, that decision changed due to a ceasefire in Gaza. The London-based Jewish Leadership Council criticized the ban, calling it unjust.
They remarked, “It’s not right for West Midlands Police to prevent away fans from attending a match just because they can’t ensure their safety. Aston Villa should face ramifications, and perhaps the game ought to be played without an audience.”
