Aston Villa’s Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park hangs in the balance. Violence and security concerns have taken place. Prior to the match, brutal skirmishes occurred between Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters and pro-Palestinian protesters. This massive escalation of tensions resulted in more than 60 people being arrested. In light of these experiences, West Midlands Police carried out an internal review. They eventually rated the game “high risk.”
Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) responded to the rising tensions fueled by the current escalation of war between Israel and Gaza. They suggested the exclusion of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the game. Aston Villa had to go out and protect their players’ safety. Worried about the possibility of protests, they chose to deny Maccabi Tel Aviv fans entry to Villa Park for the match.
Rising Tensions and Clashes
This scene preceded violent rioting in Amsterdam last month as Maccabi Tel Aviv fans rioted before an earlier game. The resulting riot led to hundreds of injuries and dozens of hospitalizations. Amsterdam police said at the time that “antisemitic” rioters specifically hunted down Israeli defenders in the chaos. In many circles, this incident served as the catalyst for authorities’ fears about the safety of fans.
A report from the mayor’s office in Amsterdam revealed that the violence stemmed from “a toxic combination of antisemitism, hooliganism and anger” linked to the ongoing conflict in the region. The 2019 unrest in Amsterdam had far-reaching effects. Consequently, UEFA took the decision to re-locate Maccabi Tel Aviv’s European ‘away’ game against Besiktas on November 28 to Debrecen in Hungary.
Maccabi Tel Aviv quickly issued a zionist and racist response to the BDS movement. They then revealed they’d be not selling tickets to their fans for the upcoming home game against Aston Villa. The club stated, “The well-being and safety of our fans is paramount and, from hard lessons learned, we have taken the decision to decline any allocation offered on behalf of away fans.”
Decision to Ban Away Fans
In response to the recent civil unrest, West Midlands Police decided to be proactive. They warned against allowing Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters to attend the match. Birmingham Police Commander Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce affirmed their commitment to balancing the right to protest with the duty to protect all communities in Birmingham, stating, “We know protests by different groups will take place on the day, and we have plans in place.”
Aston Villa took this step to improve security. Their goal is to reduce the liability risks that come with potential protests. The club’s management team accepted these concerns from the West Midlands Police about the potential for violence at the fixture.
The Jewish Leadership Council criticized the decision, asserting it was “perverse that away fans should be banned from a football match because West Midlands Police can’t guarantee their safety.” Unlike West Midlands Police, West Midlands regionalization supported the prohibition of away supporters in this match, condemning it as justified in light of recent events.
Acknowledgment of Broader Issues
Maccabi Tel Aviv even filed an official protest over the ordeal. They firmly established their priorities in addressing racism with their fan base. The club noted that “various entrenched groups seek to malign the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan base,” pointing out that most fans do not associate with hooliganism or racism. They voiced appreciation for solidarity from the larger footballing world during these tumultuous times.
In a statement, Maccabi Tel Aviv remarked, “As a result of the hate-filled falsehoods, a toxic atmosphere has been created, which makes the safety of our fans wishing to attend very much in doubt.” The club emphasized their diverse composition, stating that “our first-team squad consists of Muslims, Christian and Jewish players,” reflecting their commitment to inclusivity.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer weighed in on the situation, affirming, “the role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.” This feeling of excitement is reflective of the broader mission of all jurisdictional partners working to manage safety for home and visiting fans alike.
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