Israeli Fans Banned from Aston Villa Match Amid Security Fears and Growing Calls to Suspend Israel from Global Football

Aston Villa’s Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv next month will go ahead without any Israeli away fans in attendance after Birmingham authorities imposed a ban citing serious security concerns.

The city’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which issues safety certificates for matches at Villa Park, informed Aston Villa that no supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv will be permitted to attend the game scheduled for November 6.

In a statement, Aston Villa said the club had been “informed that no away fans may attend the UEFA Europa League match with Maccabi Tel Aviv following an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group”.

Police advised the SAG that they were concerned about potential unrest outside the stadium and their ability to manage protests expected on the night.

West Midlands Police confirmed they had classified the match as high risk, referring to “current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam”.

They said that, based on professional judgement, the restriction would “help mitigate risks to public safety”.

Last year’s match in Amsterdam was marred by violent confrontations between Israeli fans and pro-Palestinian supporters. Dozens of people were arrested, and five received prison sentences. While initial claims of anti-Semitic attacks circulated quickly, later reports indicated that Israeli fans were also responsible for provoking violence, damaging property displaying Palestinian solidarity, and chanting racist and genocidal slogans.

The decision to block Israeli fans from entering Villa Park has drawn criticism from political and community leaders in both the UK and Israel.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on social media that the ban was “the wrong decision,” adding that “the role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the move “shameful” and urged British authorities to reverse what he described as a “coward decision.”

The London-based Jewish Leadership Council described the ban as “perverse,” saying that if police cannot guarantee safety, “the match should be played behind closed doors.”

The controversy unfolds amid growing international calls for Israel’s suspension from global football over its ongoing assault on Gaza, which has been described by UN investigators as genocide.

Ashish Prashar, campaign director at Game Over Israel, which is advocating for Israel’s expulsion from FIFA and UEFA, said his group had gathered “extensive evidence” linking Israeli football culture to state violence.

More than 30 legal experts recently wrote to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, calling Israel’s suspension from competition “imperative.” The letter cited UN findings that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians and argued that the Israel Football Association’s failure to oppose these abuses “renders its participation in UEFA competitions untenable.”