Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv will not be allowed to attend their upcoming Europa League match against Aston Villa at Villa Park on November 6. This follows security concerns raised by local authorities.
According to West Midlands Police, the match has been classified as “high risk” due to the potential for protests and public unrest. The Safety Advisory Group, responsible for issuing match safety certificates, informed Aston Villa that no travelling Israeli fans would be permitted to attend.
In a statement, Aston Villa confirmed that discussions are ongoing with both Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities.
“The safety of supporters attending the match and local residents is at the forefront of any decision,” the club said.
Police said the decision was made after a thorough risk assessment. They referenced previous violent clashes during Ajax vs Maccabi Tel Aviv in the 2024 Europa League. A spokesperson added:
“This decision is based on current intelligence and past incidents, including hate crimes and violence. We believe this measure will help reduce public safety risks.”
This is the wrong decision.
We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.
The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.https://t.co/8aBeqE4qbA
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 16, 2025The move has sparked criticism across the UK political spectrum. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the ban as “the wrong decision.” He said the role of police should be to “ensure all football fans can enjoy the game without fear or intimidation.” Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the move a “national disgrace.” Meanwhile, MP Nigel Huddleston urged the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to investigate.
"We're talking about violent fans – and the PM should stay out of operational matters."
Independent MP Ayoub Khan says the decision to stop Maccabi Tel Aviv fans travelling to Birmingham for their Europa League game against Aston Villa on safety grounds was correct.#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/ZDvtkoYDsu
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) October 16, 2025Huddleston wrote on social media:
“Football has the power to unite. This decision gives in to hatred and division. Are we saying that in modern Britain we cannot guarantee the safety of Jewish fans in our stadiums? That’s unacceptable.”
Tensions around Israeli sports teams have increased amid the Gaza conflict. In 2024, 39 people were arrested before Villa’s match against Legia Warsaw. Furthermore, several protests have taken place at other sporting events involving Israeli teams.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, said it wanted fans to be able to support their teams in a “safe, secure, and welcoming environment.” However, UEFA emphasised that local authorities hold final responsibility for safety decisions in their jurisdictions.
