UK Moves to Overturn Ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans for Aston Villa Europa League Match

Overview

• Aston Villa said the Safety Advisory Group, acting on West Midlands Police advice, instructed that no away supporters attend the 6 November match at Villa Park.
• The government stated it is working with police and partners to enable safe attendance and is assessing what extra resources or support may be required.
• Officials expect a follow-up meeting of local authorities early next week as efforts continue to modify or reverse the restriction.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the decision wrong and reiterated that the UK will not tolerate antisemitism on its streets.
• Authorities cited recent incidents linked to Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in Amsterdam in November 2024 and classified the Birmingham fixture as high risk; the match remains scheduled to proceed without visiting fans unless the order changes.