Aston Villa Bans Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans for Security Reasons

Ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans in Europa League Match against Aston Villa

The English club Aston Villa announced that it will not allow Maccabi Tel Aviv fans to enter the Europa League match next month due to security concerns. In a statement, the club explained that the local police advised this measure due to “public safety concerns outside the stadium and the ability to manage potential protests during the event.”

The club is in constant dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities during this process, with the safety of the fans attending the match and the safety of local residents as a priority in any decision.

Aston Villa Statement

This decision has generated criticism, including from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, who called it “the wrong decision”.

Keir Starmer’s statement

West Midlands Police, for their part, stated that they have a strong track record in managing football matches and other high-risk public events.

We are committed to providing fair and impartial policing, balancing the public’s right to protest with our duty to ensure public safety.

West Midlands Police Spokesperson

The police added that, based on current information and previous incidents, such as violent clashes and hate crimes that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam, this measure is considered to help mitigate risks to public safety.

The match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa will be played on November 6th. It will be the team’s first away game in the Europa League since pro-Palestinian protests occurred in the stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece, when the club played against PAOK on September 24th. The London-based Jewish Leadership Council called the decision unfair.