Football fans in the UK have found themselves at the heart of a fierce debate after Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) announced a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters attending the highly anticipated Europa League match against Aston Villa, scheduled for November 6, 2025. The decision, made public on October 16, has ignited a political firestorm and prompted widespread condemnation from across the British political spectrum, as well as outrage among Jewish communities and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s dedicated fanbase.
The government, under mounting pressure, has made it clear that it is "doing everything in our power" to overturn the ban, according to a government spokesperson. The Home Office, working closely with West Midlands Police and other relevant bodies, is exploring what additional resources and support might be required to ensure the match can go ahead safely with fans from both clubs present. A meeting of the SAG is expected in the week of October 20, where the decision could be revisited if West Midlands Police changes its risk assessment.
At the core of the controversy is the police’s designation of the fixture as "high risk," a classification rooted in intelligence and recent history. In November 2024, violent clashes erupted between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a Europa League match in Amsterdam. Those incidents saw more than 60 people arrested, with city officials describing the unrest as a "toxic combination of antisemitism, hooliganism, and anger" over the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader Middle East. The fallout from those events has weighed heavily on the minds of local authorities and law enforcement as they grapple with the safety implications of hosting Israeli supporters in Birmingham.
West Midlands Police, citing both the Amsterdam clashes and their own intelligence, have stood by their “high risk” assessment. Birmingham City Council, for its part, has stated that the ban will not be reviewed unless the police alter their risk assessment. "The SAG has made a decision based on a risk assessment provided by West Midlands Police. If there is a change in the assessment of risk in the forthcoming match between Aston Villa Football Club and Maccabi Tel Aviv, then the SAG will commit to review its decision as appropriate," a council spokesperson explained.
The government’s efforts to overturn the ban have included offers of additional support to the police, with the Home Office and senior officials such as Communities Secretary Steve Reed and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy actively engaging with Birmingham authorities. The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has not minced words, labeling the ban as the "wrong decision" and reaffirming the country’s commitment to fighting antisemitism. In a statement, Starmer said, "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." According to his spokesperson, Starmer is "angered by the decision" and is "entitled to speak out on fundamental principles of fairness like this."
Other political leaders have echoed Starmer’s sentiments. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch branded the move a “national disgrace” and criticized Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for what she called a lack of action. "This is a weak government that fails to act when required. Now we learn the home secretary knew Jewish football fans were being banned from a UK stadium, and did nothing," Badenoch asserted. However, a source close to Mahmood countered, stating, "The first time the home secretary knew that the fans were being banned was last night." Mahmood herself posted on social media: "Antisemitism is a stain on our society that shames us all. Every football fan, whoever they are, should be able to watch their team in safety. This Government is doing everything in our power to ensure all fans can safely attend the game."
Yet, not all voices are united in opposition to the ban. The Green Party has backed the SAG’s decision, arguing that it would be "irresponsible" to question a local authority’s safety ruling. Senior officers at the UK Football Policing Unit have also expressed support for the move, emphasizing the importance of respecting established decision-making structures. Ayoub Khan, an independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, added a different perspective, calling the ban a "moral question" and drawing parallels to the exclusion of Russian football teams from European competitions following the Ukraine conflict. "The rules applied to Russian football teams which have been banned from European competitions because of their atrocities in Ukraine should also apply with Israeli football teams," Khan argued, while also citing public safety concerns.
The impact of the ban has been deeply felt by fans, particularly those with personal connections to the club. Emily Damari, a British-Israeli who was held hostage in Gaza and released in January 2025, voiced her dismay: "I am shocked to my core with this outrageous decision to ban me, my family and my friends from attending an Aston Villa game in the UK. Football is a way of bringing people together irrespective of their faith, colour or religion, and this disgusting decision does the exact opposite. Shame on you. I hope you come to your senses and reconsider." Damari is not alone in her frustration, as Jewish communities across the UK have described the ban as a "national disgrace."
The debate comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions and protests surrounding sporting events involving Israeli teams. Recent World Cup qualifiers have seen significant demonstrations, with 22 people arrested near Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium earlier this month during Israel’s match against Norway. Tear gas was reportedly used after demonstrators broke through police barriers. A few days later, in Udine, Italy, around 5,000 protesters marched ahead of Israel’s match against Italy, resulting in clashes with police and additional arrests. In Spain, protests erupted around a Euroleague basketball game between Valencia and Hapoel Tel Aviv, leading to several arrests.
UEFA, the governing body of the Europa League, has also weighed in, urging UK authorities to ensure that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans can attend the match. Meanwhile, local leaders such as West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and Labour mayor Richard Parker have called for the ban to be reviewed, with Parker suggesting that the government could finance the additional policing costs if required.
As the situation stands, the fate of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s travelling supporters hangs in the balance. The government, police, and local authorities are locked in a complex dance of responsibility, safety, and principle, with the eyes of the footballing world watching closely. The upcoming SAG meeting could prove decisive, but for now, the controversy continues to simmer, raising questions about the intersection of sport, politics, and public safety in a time of global tension.
With just weeks to go before kickoff, fans, politicians, and officials alike are waiting to see whether a solution can be found—one that upholds both the spirit of the beautiful game and the imperative of public safety.
