File photo

 

Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv have been barred from attending the Europa League match against Aston Villa on 6 November due to safety concerns. The decision, made by the body that issues safety certificates, has sparked controversy, drawing criticism from political leaders including the Prime Minister.

 

The ruling was announced on Thursday, citing potential safety issues during the high-risk game at Villa Park. West Midlands Police expressed concerns based on previous incidents of violence and antisemitism during matches involving Maccabi Tel Aviv, particularly referencing disturbances with Ajax fans in Amsterdam in November 2024. Over 60 individuals were arrested due to those clashes, which authorities described as fuelled by a mix of antisemitism and geopolitical tensions.

 

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch slammed the decision, calling it a "national disgrace" and urging Sir Keir Starmer to act. "Jewish fans should be able to attend any football stadium in the UK," she stated. Sir Keir Starmer added, "The role of police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game without fear."

 

Aston Villa stated that they remain in "continuous dialogue" with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and local authorities, prioritising the safety of their supporters. Uefa, Europe's football governing body, stressed the importance of a secure environment for all fans but left final decisions to local authorities.

 

Criticism has extended internationally, with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar labelling the ban "shameful." Leaders from across political spectrums, including Liberal Democrat Sir Ed Davey and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, have condemned the exclusion of fans as discriminatory and unjust.

 

Amid rising tensions linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, various sporting events have witnessed protests, heightening security concerns. Recent matches involving Israel's national team have been flashpoints for demonstrations.

 

The prime minister addressed concerns from the Jewish community during a visit to the Community Security Trust, reiterating his commitment to actions that uphold safety and security, following the tragic attack at a Manchester synagogue in October.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Maccabi Tel Aviv fans are barred from attending a match against Aston Villa due to safety concerns.
• Politicians and international leaders have heavily criticised the decision, citing discrimination.
• Discussions continue between clubs and governing bodies to navigate security risks.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-10-17

 

 

Terrible.

 

Murderous attacks on synagogues. Armed police having to guard them. Private security hired for Jewish schools. Now Jewish fans banned from UK football stadiums. The antisemitism in the UK is deeply disturbing.

 

The police's job is to protect all groups, even in a Muslim city like Birmingham. Perhaps they could stop scrolling social media for "offensive" posts and actually do their jobs for once. 

 

 

The UK is officially not a safe country for Jewish people, so much so that their fans are not allowed to attend a football match due to the murderous backward Islamists and leftist supporters who wish harm on a minority religion/race.  This is shameful.  

This is real racism, Jewish people are considered a race under UK law and in broader ethnic terms,

Under UK law, "race" includes "color, nationality, ethnic or national origins." Jewish people are explicitly recognized as an ethnic group, not just a religious one, per landmark cases like Mandla v Dowell-Lee (1983) and Seide v Gillette Industries (1980). These rulings establish Jews as a protected group under anti-discrimination laws due to shared cultural, historical, and ethnic characteristics (e.g., common ancestry, traditions, language like Yiddish/Hebrew).

Can you imagine if the tables were turned and Muslims were banned, all hell would be let loose!

Sensible ban, keep the trouble makers away from the game, they’ve got form:

 

Claim: "Israeli soccer fans were chased and beaten in Amsterdam in what Israeli and Dutch politicians called antisemitic attacks," wrote The Wall Street Journal in a headline found here.

The German newspaper Bild also used a screenshot from the video with the caption: "The hunt for Jews has broken out again: Arab mob chases soccer fans in Amsterdam."

 

DW Fact check: False

The video by De Graaf actually shows supporters of the Israeli soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv attacking locals around Amsterdam Central Station.

It, therefore, does not show pro-Palestinians chasing Israelis, as has been falsely claimed by several media outlets, but instead Israeli soccer fans attacking locals and pro-Palestinian soccer fans.

 

 

https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-amsterdam-video-doesnt-show-attack-on-israelis/a-70763374

On 10/17/2025 at 6:36 AM, webfact said:

File photo

 

Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv have been barred from attending the Europa League match against Aston Villa on 6 November due to safety concerns. The decision, made by the body that issues safety certificates, has sparked controversy, drawing criticism from political leaders including the Prime Minister.

 

The ruling was announced on Thursday, citing potential safety issues during the high-risk game at Villa Park. West Midlands Police expressed concerns based on previous incidents of violence and antisemitism during matches involving Maccabi Tel Aviv, particularly referencing disturbances with Ajax fans in Amsterdam in November 2024. Over 60 individuals were arrested due to those clashes, which authorities described as fuelled by a mix of antisemitism and geopolitical tensions.

 

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch slammed the decision, calling it a "national disgrace" and urging Sir Keir Starmer to act. "Jewish fans should be able to attend any football stadium in the UK," she stated. Sir Keir Starmer added, "The role of police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game without fear."

 

Aston Villa stated that they remain in "continuous dialogue" with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and local authorities, prioritising the safety of their supporters. Uefa, Europe's football governing body, stressed the importance of a secure environment for all fans but left final decisions to local authorities.

 

Criticism has extended internationally, with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar labelling the ban "shameful." Leaders from across political spectrums, including Liberal Democrat Sir Ed Davey and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, have condemned the exclusion of fans as discriminatory and unjust.

 

Amid rising tensions linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, various sporting events have witnessed protests, heightening security concerns. Recent matches involving Israel's national team have been flashpoints for demonstrations.

 

The prime minister addressed concerns from the Jewish community during a visit to the Community Security Trust, reiterating his commitment to actions that uphold safety and security, following the tragic attack at a Manchester synagogue in October.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Maccabi Tel Aviv fans are barred from attending a match against Aston Villa due to safety concerns.
• Politicians and international leaders have heavily criticised the decision, citing discrimination.
• Discussions continue between clubs and governing bodies to navigate security risks.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-10-17

 

 

good! they don't want more trouble... last year in Amsterdam Maccabi fans came to see the game, trying to take over the whole city before the match started! many causing trouble, answered by 'Dutch'/Moroccan kids on electric bikes! of course Maccabi fans quickly in the victim-part they play so well... you don't want all this in UK, just enjoy the match and after go home, that's it!

It is unlikely there will be more than a thousand or so Maccabi supporters. The West Midland police should be able to cope with this. 

Sadly, the UK has fallen so far that the medicine to fix it is going to be a hard swallow. This is the often followed MO, people/politicians etc. allow a problem to fester for so long by continually kicking it into the long grass because few have a spine to deal with it.

Also, our democracies only allow governments to last 4-5 years, hence disincentivizing politicians and those in positions of power to actually sort out the structual problems that take longer to fix, thus focusing on short-term problems and populism... and this can be seen from Europe to Thailand to the US and many others.

Macabi Tell Aviv fans have caused trouble in the past. The fact that they are Israelis is irrelevant, furthermore Jewish Football suporters are not being banned from UK Football Stadia , it is only troublemakers.

I see this as a clever move by Birmingham Council. By using the 'Elf & Safety angle  they're not using local funds (I'd they had them) to police the event, which is currently running at a 3.35 Billion Pounds in arrears.

If 2Tear views it differently, and believes it's an event of harmonious National importance, then he can pay for the security enforcement from central funds, quite sure Rachel from Accounts can find it.

 

Its not very often i Agree with Chomper but I agree what he says about the Macabi fans. There supporters have caused trouble anywhere they play with chants like " No Schoold in Gaza there kids are all dead " and IDF chants killing palastinians. This is why we don't need fans like this at English football grounds.

 

 

On 10/18/2025 at 2:56 PM, Chomper Higgot said:

Sensible ban, keep the trouble makers away from the game, they’ve got form:

 

Claim: "Israeli soccer fans were chased and beaten in Amsterdam in what Israeli and Dutch politicians called antisemitic attacks," wrote The Wall Street Journal in a headline found here.

The German newspaper Bild also used a screenshot from the video with the caption: "The hunt for Jews has broken out again: Arab mob chases soccer fans in Amsterdam."

 

DW Fact check: False

The video by De Graaf actually shows supporters of the Israeli soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv attacking locals around Amsterdam Central Station.

It, therefore, does not show pro-Palestinians chasing Israelis, as has been falsely claimed by several media outlets, but instead Israeli soccer fans attacking locals and pro-Palestinian soccer fans.

 

 

https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-amsterdam-video-doesnt-show-attack-on-israelis/a-70763374

Chomper, you absolutely excel yourself!

On 10/18/2025 at 2:56 PM, Chomper Higgot said:

Sensible ban, keep the trouble makers away from the game, they’ve got form:

 

 

 

The antisemitism is strong in this one. 

 

Maybe you could have included a rat emoji for added effect ala Gary Lineker.

A local Derby between Macabi Haifa and Hapoel had to be called off due to crowd trouble.

On 10/19/2025 at 1:25 PM, RayWright said:

I see this as a clever move by Birmingham Council. By using the 'Elf & Safety angle  they're not using local funds (I'd they had them) to police the event, which is currently running at a 3.35 Billion Pounds in arrears.

If 2Tear views it differently, and believes it's an event of harmonious National importance, then he can pay for the security enforcement from central funds, quite sure Rachel from Accounts can find it.

 

Rubbish. The present Birmingham Council are too ideologically and politically biased to be capable of "clever moves".

.

18 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

The antisemitism is strong in this one. 

 

Maybe you could have included a rat emoji for added effect ala Gary Lineker.

Your attempt at the ‘Antisemitism slur’ is strong (as in stinks).

 

If you wish to dispute any of the facts of post please have a go at doing so.

17 hours ago, JAG said:

Chomper, you absolutely excel yourself!

And with facts too.

On 10/18/2025 at 2:56 PM, Chomper Higgot said:

Sensible ban, keep the trouble makers away from the game, they’ve got form:

 

Claim: "Israeli soccer fans were chased and beaten in Amsterdam in what Israeli and Dutch politicians called antisemitic attacks," wrote The Wall Street Journal in a headline found here.

The German newspaper Bild also used a screenshot from the video with the caption: "The hunt for Jews has broken out again: Arab mob chases soccer fans in Amsterdam."

 

DW Fact check: False

The video by De Graaf actually shows supporters of the Israeli soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv attacking locals around Amsterdam Central Station.

It, therefore, does not show pro-Palestinians chasing Israelis, as has been falsely claimed by several media outlets, but instead Israeli soccer fans attacking locals and pro-Palestinian soccer fans.

 

 

https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-amsterdam-video-doesnt-show-attack-on-israelis/a-70763374

 

    That shows that one video was incorrectly labelled .

Its doesn't prove that the initial claim was incorrect .

There was an organised far right group from across Europe all going to confront the Israeli fans on arrival  , the far right anti semite groups had violence planned for the Jews

9 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

And with facts too.

 

Your facts are like farts - offensive gaseous precursors to a log of BS - your fact check failed.

 

I'm sure that some of the Maccabi fans are no angels but the fact is that the most serious offenders in Amsterdam were not Israelis:

 

"Four rioters have been given short jail terms for violence against football fans visiting Amsterdam for a Europa League match between Ajax and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv".

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy81qvn7gjo

 

This ban in Birmingham sets a bad precedent in what  is a supposedly democratic country.

 

 

14 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

    That shows that one video was incorrectly labelled .

Its doesn't prove that the initial claim was incorrect .

There was an organised far right group from across Europe all going to confront the Israeli fans on arrival  , the far right anti semite groups had violence planned for the Jews

No it doesn’t show that one video was incorrectly labeled.

 

It demonstrates a completely false narrative being adopted by numerous major news organizations, portraying acts of violence by Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans as ‘antisemitic attacks’ on the self same Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans.

 

A polar opposite representation of the actual facts and that despite direct challenges to the false representation of the attacks by the person who provided the video footage.

 

 

8 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

Your facts are like farts - offensive gaseous precursors to a log of BS - your fact check failed.

 

I'm sure that some of the Maccabi fans are no angels but the fact is that the most serious offenders in Amsterdam were not Israelis:

 

"Four rioters have been given short jail terms for violence against football fans visiting Amsterdam for a Europa League match between Ajax and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv".

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy81qvn7gjo

 

This ban in Birmingham sets a bad precedent in what  is a supposedly democratic country.

 

 

I never suggested the ‘Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans’ engaged in violent attacks were Israelis or for that matter Jewish.

 

 

It’s not a ‘dangerous’ precedent, it’s not even a precedent:

 

Galatasaray S.K. (Turkey) fans

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/apr/15/newsstory.galatasaray

 

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No it doesn’t show that one video was incorrectly labeled.

 

It demonstrates a completely false narrative being adopted by numerous major news organizations, portraying acts of violence by Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans as ‘antisemitic attacks’ on the self same Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans.

 

A polar opposite representation of the actual facts and that despite direct challenges to the false representation of the attacks by the person who provided the video footage.

 

 

 

   There were other instances of Israeli fans being attacked . 

 

3 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   There were other instances of Israeli fans being attacked . 

 

I’m sure there might have been Nick.

 

But the evidence presented as an antisemitic attack was of Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans kicking seven shades out of others.

A disgraceful and inflammatory misrepresentation of actual events.

 

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I’m sure there might have been Nick.

 

But the evidence presented as an antisemitic attack was of Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans kicking seven shades out of others.

A disgraceful and inflammatory misrepresentation of actual events.

 

 

   "the others", the group that especially went there just to violently confront the Israelis .

    "the others" who got jail sentences for violently attacking the Israelis .

"the others " who held an anti Israel demonstration to coincide the the Israelis arriving at the train station .

   "the others" went there to attack  the Israelis

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   "the others", the group that especially went there just to violently confront the Israelis .

    "the others" who got jail sentences for violently attacking the Israelis .

"the others " who held an anti Israel demonstration to coincide the the Israelis arriving at the train station .

   "the others" went there to attack  the Israelis

Yawn.

Israeli fans are being banned because of politics and nothing to do with fans behaviour :

 

Ayoub Khan, an independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr who campaigned on a pro-Gaza platform in last year's general election, had pushed for the match to be cancelled due to safety concerns and welcomed Thursday's decision.

 

Green deputy leader Mothin Ali, said: "These games are taking place in the context of thousands of civilians being killed in Gaza, the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, and the upholding of a system of apartheid.

 

 

Is this not the time to consider a blanket ban of Israeli clubs from Fifa?

 

Of course the Germans would strongly resist it, just as they did the recent initiative to ban Israelis from Eurovision, Merz said Germany would not participate if that ban went ahead.

10 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Israeli fans are being banned because of politics and nothing to do with fans behaviour :

 

Ayoub Khan, an independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr who campaigned on a pro-Gaza platform in last year's general election, had pushed for the match to be cancelled due to safety concerns and welcomed Thursday's decision.

 

Green deputy leader Mothin Ali, said: "These games are taking place in the context of thousands of civilians being killed in Gaza, the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, and the upholding of a system of apartheid.

 

 

 Now all you need to do is prove the committee acted on Ayoub Khan’s or Mothin Ali’s instructions.

 

 

On 10/18/2025 at 3:56 AM, Chomper Higgot said:

Sensible ban, keep the trouble makers away from the game, they’ve got form:

I agree with you, Jews should also wear yellow stars. 

7 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Is this not the time to consider a blanket ban of Israeli clubs from Fifa?

 

Of course the Germans would strongly resist it, just as they did the recent initiative to ban Israelis from Eurovision, Merz said Germany would not participate if that ban went ahead.

The Jews will not replace us.