Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv have been banned from attending their forthcoming Europe League match at Aston Villa.
The local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) informed Villa that no fans of the Israeli club will be at Villa Park for the game, scheduled for November 6, due to “previous incidents including violent clashes and hate crime offences”.
A statement on Villa’s website read: “Aston Villa can confirm the club has been informed that no away fans may attend the UEFA Europa League match with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, November 6, following an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group.
“The Safety Advisory Group (SAG) are responsible for issuing safety certificates for every match at Villa Park, based on a number of physical and safety factors.
“Following a meeting this afternoon, the SAG have formally written to the club and UEFA to advise no away fans will be permitted to attend Villa Park for this fixture.
“West Midlands Police have advised the SAG that they have public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night.
“The club are in continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities throughout this ongoing process, with the safety of supporters attending the match and the safety of local residents at the forefront of any decision.“
Birmingham’s population is around 30 per cent muslim, according to a 2021 census, and often hosts large pro-Palestine protests.
West Midlands Police, who advised the SAG of their concerns, confirmed the ban, saying: “This decision is based on 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."
Speaking on GB News, Kelvin MacKenzie slammed the decision, saying did not believe the reasoning behind the ban.
He told Michelle Dewberry: ‘I feel desperate for the idea that Jews can’t go to football matches.’
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