Maccabi Tel-Aviv Faces Sanctions for Racist Behavior by Supporters
Overview of the Incident
Maccabi Tel-Aviv, whose fans were controversially prohibited from attending a recent fixture against Aston Villa, has received a suspended one-match ban for away supporters due to incidents of racist chanting. The ruling was issued by UEFA following a review of the actions of Maccabi’s supporters during a Europa League match against Stuttgart on December 11.
UEFA’s Disciplinary Actions
The Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) of UEFA confirmed that Maccabi Tel-Aviv would be fined €20,000 (approximately $23,470) related to the misconduct of their fans. Additionally, the club has been placed under a suspended ban that prevents them from selling tickets to away supporters for their next UEFA competition match. This suspension will last for a probationary period of two years.
Details of the Sanction
- Fine: €20,000 ($23,470)
- Suspended Ban: Ticket sales to away fans prohibited for one match, effective for two years
The sanctions are believed to be linked to anti-Arab chants by Maccabi’s fanbase during the aforementioned away game.
Background Context
Prior to these incidents, Maccabi supporters were already denied travel to a Europa League match against Aston Villa on November 6, due to safety concerns issued by the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) following advice from West Midlands Police. While there were no major incidents reported during the match, authorities made 11 arrests on that day.
Reactions to the Decision
The ruling faced significant backlash, with political figures expressing their discontent. Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled the decision as “wrong,” while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urged law enforcement to re-evaluate their stance.
In response to the fallout, police officials were summoned to provide testimony to the Home Affairs Committee on December 1, as committee chair Karen Bradley sought more details through correspondence with the police, SAG, and the UK Football Policing Unit.
