UK authorities are reconsidering a ban that prevented fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their Europa League match against Aston villa at Villa Park on Thursday, following criticism from Labor leader Keir Starmer and concerns over potential antisemitism. The initial decision to prohibit away fans was made due to fears of pro-Palestinian protests escalating into violence, mirroring incidents at previous matches involving the Israeli club.
The reversal comes as Maccabi Tel Aviv’s first away game in the Europa League sence a protest occurred during a September 24th match against PAOK in Thessaloniki, Greece, where approximately 120 travelling fans were held behind a police cordon. Last season, the club’s supporters were involved in violent clashes with residents in Amsterdam during a Europa League game against Ajax. UEFA had previously considered a vote to suspend Israeli teams from its competitions, a move overtaken by the recent ceasefire in Gaza.Starmer criticized the original ban, stating, “the role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.” Maccabi Tel Aviv chief executive Jack Angelides expressed “dismay about what this possibly is signaling,” telling the BBC,”I don’t use this term lightly but people ask,’What does antisemitism look like?’ And it’s often manifested as part of a process … in other words small events leading up to something that’s more sinister.”
The situation highlights the complex intersection of sports, politics, and security concerns amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Authorities are now working to find a solution that allows fans to attend future matches safely while addressing legitimate security concerns and avoiding the perception of discrimination.
