United Kingdom Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has condemned the decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending their Europa League clash with Aston Villa, describing it as the “wrong decision.”
Authorities responsible for issuing safety certificates for football matches announced on Thursday that fans of the Israeli side would not be permitted to attend the November 6 fixture at Villa Park, citing safety concerns.
Sir Keir criticised the move, stressing that “we will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets,” and added that police must ensure “all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also lambasted the decision, calling it a “national disgrace” and urging the prime minister to intervene. She wrote on X that Starmer should “guarantee that Jewish fans can walk into any football stadium in this country.” She warned that failing to do so would “send a horrendous and shameful message: there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go.”
According to West Midlands Police, the match has been designated a high-risk event due to intelligence suggesting possible protests. The force referred to “violent clashes and hate crime offences” that took place between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam in November 2024, when over 60 people were arrested.
Dutch officials had described those incidents as a “toxic combination of antisemitism, hooliganism, and anger” linked to the war in Gaza and wider Middle East tensions.
The Safety Advisory Group subsequently advised Aston Villa that no travelling supporters from Israel would be allowed to attend the game in Birmingham.
In response, Aston Villa said it remained “in continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities,” adding that the “safety of supporters and local residents” remained “at the forefront of any decision.”
Uefa, European football’s governing body, maintained that it wanted supporters to be able to attend matches “in a safe, secure and welcoming environment.” It told Reuters that “the competent local authorities remain responsible for decisions related to the safety and security of matches taking place on their territory.”
However, not all politicians agreed with the decision. Ayoub Khan, independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, supported the move, stating, “From the moment that the match was announced, it was clear that there were latent safety risks that even our capable security and police authorities would not be able to fully manage.”
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar labelled the ban “shameful” and called for it to be overturned. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also condemned the move, saying, “You don’t tackle antisemitism by banning its victims. This decision must be reversed.” Reform UK’s Nigel Farage added that it “takes racial discrimination to a whole new level.”
The decision follows a series of protests at sporting events over the Gaza conflict, including those during Israel’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Italy.
Earlier on Thursday, Sir Keir visited the Community Security Trust, a charity that provides protection for Jewish sites across the UK.
He acknowledged the growing insecurity among members of the Jewish community following the deadly attack at a Manchester synagogue earlier this month that left two men dead.
Speaking to Jewish News, he said, “We have heard loud and clear in the last few days and weeks that words are not enough. Action is what matters, and we’re absolutely committed to that.”
