Aston Villa has officially banned fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their upcoming UEFA Europa League match, citing serious safety and security concerns.
The match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa is set for November 6 at Villa Park as part of the Europa League group stage. According to foreign media reports, the decision was made following a directive from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which issues safety certificates for football matches.
SAG advised Aston Villa to restrict entry for Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters due to potential protests and security risks linked to ongoing regional tensions. The club emphasized that the safety of all fans and residents in Birmingham remained its top priority.
“Following the meeting, SAG provided a written directive to the club and UEFA that no Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters will be permitted to attend the match at Villa Park,” Aston Villa said in an official statement.
The West Midlands Police have classified the game as “high risk,” referencing past incidents involving Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and intelligence suggesting possible unrest. Authorities noted that similar clashes occurred during the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam, where violence and vandalism were reported.
Videos circulating online at the time showed Maccabi supporters attacking a local driver and burning Palestinian flags, leading to chaos in the city.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Aston Villa’s decision, arguing that anti-semitism must not be tolerated in the UK. However, Aston Villa maintained that the ban was based purely on safety concerns and not political motives.
The club reaffirmed its stance, saying that preventing unrest and ensuring public safety outweighed all other considerations.
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The decision has sparked debate across social media, with fans divided over whether Aston Villa’s move was justified or discriminatory.
