Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Banned from Europa League Match Due to Safety Concerns
No Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will be allowed to attend their Europa League match against Aston Villa due to safety concerns.
West Midlands Police have expressed worries about their capacity to manage potential protests during the match, scheduled for Thursday, November 6, at Villa Park.
The Safety Advisory Group, responsible for issuing safety certificates for events, has advised Aston Villa that travelling fans will not be permitted at the match.
Aston Villa stated, "The club is in ongoing discussions with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities throughout this process. The safety of supporters attending the match and the wellbeing of local residents are our top priorities in making this decision."
West Midlands Police classified the upcoming game as "high risk" following a comprehensive assessment.
A police spokesperson commented, "This decision is informed by current intelligence and past incidents, including violent clashes and hate crimes that occurred during the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam. Based on our professional judgment, we believe this measure will help mitigate risks to public safety."
Violence erupted prior to the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in November last year, leading to several arrests. Officials in Amsterdam characterized the violence as a "toxic combination of antisemitism, hooliganism, and anger" related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel, and the broader Middle East.
A ceasefire in Gaza took effect on October 10. Protests related to the conflict have occurred at various sporting events, including recent World Cup qualifiers involving Israel's national team against Norway and Italy.
In 2023, thirty-nine individuals were arrested after violence broke out ahead of Villa's match against Legia Warsaw.