Maccabi Tel Aviv has announced it will decline the ticket allocation offered to away fans for their upcoming Europa League match against Aston Villa at Villa Park on November 6. This decision follows a prior ruling by the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which initially blocked visiting fans from attending the match based on a risk assessment conducted by West Midlands Police.
The initial ban by the SAG drew immediate criticism from various political figures, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who questioned the decision. Despite numerous calls for the decision to be reversed and the UK government's vow to explore resources to allow all fans to attend, Maccabi Tel Aviv released a statement explaining their position.
According to the statement posted on Maccabi's website, "The wellbeing 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, and our decision should be understood in that context". The club further expressed hope that "circumstances will change" and that they look forward to playing in Birmingham in a safe sporting environment in the future.
The club also addressed the motives of those seeking to justify the ban, acknowledging the UK government and police's efforts to ensure the safety of both sets of fans. They conveyed gratitude for the support received from the football community and broader society. Maccabi Tel Aviv emphasized their commitment to inclusivity, highlighting that their team and fan base include Muslim, Christian, and Jewish members, and that they have been actively working to combat racism within their fan base.
Maccabi Tel Aviv also stated, "It is clear that various entrenched groups seek to malign the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan base…and are exploiting isolated incidents for their own social and political ends".
According to Jewish News, Maccabi Tel Aviv's decision was influenced by interventions by "extremist figures" in the UK. The club reportedly fears that the campaign led by pro-Gaza MP Ayoub Khan and local community activists had initially jeopardized the safety of Maccabi fans. Further concerns arose after far-right activist Tommy Robinson's involvement, creating fears that Maccabi supporters could be falsely associated with far-right activities, thus increasing the risk to innocent fans.
Sky News reported that Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, found the initial ban on away fans "very difficult to justify". Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated that the government is collaborating with West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council to explore available options to ensure fans from both teams can attend, and resources will not be a barrier.
Despite Maccabi Tel Aviv's decision to decline tickets, anti-Israel activists are still expected to be present in the vicinity of Villa Park during the match.
