Safety fears force Villa ban – but PM Keir Starmer says “wrong decision”
Aston Villa have confirmed that no Israeli supporters will be allowed to attend next month’s Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv – after police said they could not guarantee their safety in Birmingham.
Prime minister Keir Starmer, reacting on X, said: “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.”
The Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which oversees matchday safety certification at Villa Park, ruled that no away fans will be admitted for the November 6 fixture. The decision follows advice from West Midlands Police, who raised concerns over potential protests outside the stadium and their capacity to manage them safely.
Club and police cite public safety
In a statement, Aston Villa said they were in “continuous dialogue” with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities, adding that “the safety of supporters and local residents remains paramount.” The SAG confirmed it had written to both the club and UEFA to formalise the restriction.
MP and Villa fan reacts
The move has drawn criticism from Birmingham-born Aston Villa supporter Nick Timothy, now MP for West Suffolk, who posted on social media: “Welcome to modern Britain. Away fans from Israel banned from Villa Park because the police cannot guarantee their safety in Birmingham. I am sad, angry and ashamed.”
The ban means no Israeli fans will be present for one of Villa’s biggest European nights in years – a decision highlighting the growing security and political sensitivities surrounding international fixtures in the UK.
Baron Austin, from Dudley, member of West Midlands Friends of Israel and a Villa fan, said: “I am appalled that West Midlands Police said that no away fans should be allowed to come to the match
“It looks like they have capitulated to a campaign by trouble-makers and abdicated their responsibility to ensure people can go about their lawful business safely.
“Birmingham is a great international city. It welcomes visitors from all over the world and they must be able to come in safety.
“International sport is one of our most important exports and this has major implications for fixtures in the future.
“Birmingham is one of the venues for the European Championships in 2028 but the police’s decision must surely put that at risk if they are saying they can’t guarantee pubic safety.
“The Chief Constable must review this immediately and I will be asking the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to ask him to do so.”
Ayoub Khan, MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, saw things differently.
He said: “I welcome the Safety Advisory Group’s decision to advise that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will not be permitted to attend Villa Park on November 6.
“From the moment that the match was announced, it was clear that there were latent safety risks that even our capable security and police authorities would not be able to fully manage. With so much hostility and uncertainty around the match, it was only right to take drastic measures.
“Sports entertainment events should be enjoyed by all, regardless of their race, ethnicity and background. But there are rare instances where the political dynamics surrounding such spectacles cannot be ignored, and where drastic action must be taken to ensure the safety of fans, players, staff and local residents.
“I am glad that this reality has been acknowledged in this case, and I am grateful to Aston Villa FC, Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, West Midlands Police and the Safety Advisory Group for all their work to listen to our community’s concerns.
“Now is the time to ease tensions, set aside political differences, and focus on the football once more.”
