Starmer criticises police decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa match
Leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer has criticised the decision by West Midlands Police and a joint safety committee to prohibit away supporters from Maccabi Tel Aviv at Aston Villa’s Europa League clash in Birmingham. The ruling, described as a “high risk” event, follows fears rooted in antisemitic incidents witnessed in Amsterdam last year and elsewhere.
The police and local authorities argued the risk to public safety could not be adequately managed with fans allowed inside Villa Park. They cited violent clashes and hate crime offences connected to previous matches involving Maccabi Tel Aviv as part of the justification for restricting attendance.
Raising concerns about antisemitism and equality of access
Prime Minister and opposition leaders weighed in on the decision, with the prime minister asserting that antisemitism on British streets would not be tolerated and that the police should enable all fans to enjoy the game without fear. Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, called the move a national disgrace and challenged Sir Keir Starmer to guarantee safe access for Jewish fans at any stadium in the country.
Despite the political debate, the Jewish Leadership Council criticised the ban, calling it perverse that away fans could be excluded due to safety concerns they felt were not adequately addressed. The Campaign Against Antisemitism echoed that sentiment, arguing the response signals a failure to protect Jewish participation in public life.
Local authorities and fan groups respond
Aston Villa FC confirmed that the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) had determined no away fans would be permitted to attend the November 6 match. The SAG coordinates multi-agency safety planning, including police and local authorities. The club noted ongoing dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and authorities, stressing that protecting supporters and local residents was the priority.
Ayoub Khan, the independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, welcomed the decision to restrict away attendance in light of “latent safety risks,” while a petition supported by him and fellow MP Jeremy Corbyn gathered thousands of signatures urging action. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign condemned the decision, framing the ban within broader accusations about Israeli policy—claims Israel has repeatedly rejected as inaccurate or misleading in this context.
What this means for fans and the future of football safety
The clash highlights ongoing tensions between safety protocols at European fixtures and the rights of fans to travel and support their teams. Police authorities emphasise that decisions are made after careful assessment of intelligence, crowd dynamics, and past incidents, with a focus on preventing violence and hate crime. Critics, however, argue that such restrictions risk normalising exclusion based on nationality or religion, and set a worrying precedent for access to public life.
Looking ahead, stakeholders on both sides of the debate say sustained dialogue is essential. Clubs, fans, local councils, and policing bodies need transparent criteria for safety measures and clear avenues for challenging decisions that affect fan participation. The broader question remains: how can football stadiums be both welcoming to international supporters and resilient against antisemitic abuse and other forms of hate?
