No Maccabi Tel Aviv Supporters Allowed at Villa Match

Overview of the Situation

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will not be allowed entry to their upcoming Europa League fixture against Aston Villa due to safety concerns. The match, scheduled for Thursday, November 6, has raised alarms among law enforcement regarding the potential for protests.

Safety Concerns Raised

West Midlands Police have voiced apprehensions about their capacity to manage any protests that might arise during the event. As a precaution, the Safety Advisory Group, responsible for granting safety certificates for events, has mandated that no traveling fans from Maccabi Tel Aviv will be permitted to attend the match.

The club has stated: “We are in ongoing discussions with both Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities throughout this process. Ensuring the safety of our supporters and the local community is our top priority.”

Classification of the Match

The police have categorized the upcoming game as “high risk” following a comprehensive evaluation. A police spokesperson commented, “This decision comes from current intelligence and prior incidents, particularly the violent unrest and hate crimes associated with the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.”

The spokesperson added, “Our professional assessment suggests that implementing this measure will significantly reduce risks to public safety.”

Recent Incidents

Earlier, there were arrests made due to violent encounters preceding the November match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Officials in Amsterdam labeled the turmoil as a dangerous mix of antisemitism, hooliganism, and widespread anger related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and other areas in the Middle East. A ceasefire in Gaza was established on October 10.

Various sports events have seen demonstrations related to the Gaza war, including matches where Israel’s national team faced Norway and Italy during recent World Cup qualifiers.

Additionally, there were 39 arrests linked to disturbances ahead of Villa’s encounter with Legia Warsaw in 2023.