Government Intervention: Ban on Away Fans for Aston Villa vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv Under Review
17 OCT 2025 21:20 | VIEWS: 36
PHOTO: Zach Rowlandson, Unsplash
The UK government is working to overturn a decision that bans Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham this November. The decision, made by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group, has drawn criticism from political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Jewish Leadership Council. The government seeks resources and support to reverse the decision, which was based on current information and past incidents, such as clashes during Maccabi Tel Aviv's match against Ajax in Amsterdam in 2024 and World Cup qualifier protests. West Midlands Police defend the decision as necessary for public safety, categorizing the match as high-risk. Some political leaders and organizations, like the Jewish Leadership Council, suggest playing the match behind closed doors if Maccabi Tel Aviv fans cannot attend.
SOURCE: Sky Sports