Due to heightened safety concerns, Aston Villa has decided to bar fans of the Israeli soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their Europa League match in Birmingham on November 6. This decision comes after a series of violent incidents targeting Israeli supporters in Amsterdam last year, where Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were attacked during a match against Ajax. The club emphasized its ongoing communication with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities, stressing that the safety of all spectators and local residents remains the top priority in this decision.
Earlier this year, pro-Palestine protesters continued to be a regular presence at Maccabi Tel Aviv matches, with fans facing incidents such as being held behind a police cordon at a game against PAOK in Thessaloniki, Greece, on September 24. More than a dozen individuals have already been charged in connection with the violence from the Amsterdam incident, and several were convicted after a series of violent nighttime events. The Jewish Leadership Council in London criticized the decision as unfair, suggesting that Aston Villa should bear the consequences and the match should be held in closed doors to protect spectators.
Meanwhile, the European Soccer Federation, UEFA, was contemplating a vote to suspend Israeli teams from their competitions prior to this month, which was overtaken by the Gaza ceasefire. The Jewish Leadership Council has called for the match to be played without fans, citing the club’s responsibility for the safety of attendees and the surrounding community. The club has not released the final decision on the match’s format, but the statement from Aston Villa underscores the ongoing impact of these safety concerns on international events.