Supporters of the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv are facing a ban from attending an upcoming match in England, a decision that has sparked outrage within the Jewish community and criticism from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The West Midlands Police have recommended that no away fans be present at Aston Villa’s Europa League encounter with the Israeli team scheduled for November 6 in Birmingham. This recommendation stems from concerns over ‘a number of physical and safety factors.’

The police advice was directed to the Safety Advisory Group, which is composed of club officials and emergency services responsible for issuing safety licenses. It is understood that multiple threats were made prior to this advisory. Aston Villa later confirmed the decision.

In a statement published on their website on Thursday, Aston Villa stated: ‘West Midlands Police have informed the SAG of public safety concerns outside the stadium and their capacity to manage any potential protests on the night.’

‘The club is maintaining ongoing discussions with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities, prioritizing the safety of supporters and local residents in all decisions,’ the statement continued.

Fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv have been banned from watching their team at Aston Villa

The Premier League club made the decision after consultation with West Midlands Police

Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to social media to condemn the decision on Thursday night

West Midlands Police also issued a statement explaining that the decision was influenced by ‘previous incidents,’ specifically referring to antisemitic attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans during the club’s Europa League match against Ajax in Amsterdam last year.

An astonishing 68 people were arrested after attacks were made on Israeli football supporters, prompting Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof to label the assaults ‘shocking and reprehensible’.

West Midlands Police has also confirmed the match at Villa Park is being classified a ‘high risk’ after a lengthy assessment.

A spokesperson said: ‘West Midlands Police supports the decision to prohibit away supporters from attending.’

‘This decision is based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.

‘Based on our professional judgement, we believe this measure will help mitigate risks to public safety.

‘We remain steadfast in our support all affected communities, and reaffirm our zero-tolerance stance on hate crime in all its forms.’

About 30 per cent of Birmingham’s population is Muslim and the city has seen numerous demonstrations since the start of the Gaza war. 

Starmer said in a post: ‘The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game’

Unai Emery’s side are scheduled to host the Israeli club in the Europa League on November 6

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were targeted by antisemitic attacks during their trip to Ajax last year

Dozens of arrests were made after attacks were made on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam

The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters has not only been criticised by Starmer — it has also infuriated members and allies of the Jewish community.

Israel’s minister for foreign affairs, Gideon Sa’ar, also took to X to condemn the move. ‘Shameful decision!’ he wrote. ‘I call on the UK authorities to reverse this cowardly decision!’

The Campaign Against Antisemitism added: ‘Another alarming sign of how British authorities are failing to ensure Jews can participate safely and equally in public life. What does that say about the state of policing and public order?’

Meanwhile, former Labour MP Lord Ian Austin, who is a season-ticket holder at Aston Villa and one of the Jewish community’s closest political allies, fumed: ‘I am appalled that West Midlands Police said that no away fans should be allowed to come to the match.

‘It looks like they have capitulated to a campaign by trouble-makers and abdicated their responsibility to ensure people can go about their lawful business safely.

‘Birmingham is a great international city. It welcomes visitors from all over the world and they must be able to come in safety. 

‘International sport is one of our most important exports and this has major implications for fixtures in the future. 

‘Birmingham is one of the venues for the European Championships in 2028 but the police’s decision must surely put that at risk if they are saying they can’t guarantee pubic safety. 

West Midlands Police confirmed the incident in Amsterdam played a part in the decision

The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters has been met with a furious backlash

The Jewish Leadership Council labelled the decision ‘perverse’ in a furious statement online

‘The Chief Constable must review this immediately and I will be asking the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to ask him to do so.’

Elsewhere, the Jewish Leadership Council posted on social media platform X: ‘It is perverse that away fans should be banned from a football match because West Midlands Police can’t guarantee their safety. 

‘Aston Villa should face the consequences of this decision and the match should be played behind closed doors.’ 

Under UEFA rules, at least five per cent of the stadium should be for away fans. A spokesperson said: ‘Local authorities remain responsible for decisions related to the safety and security of matches on their territory, determined on the basis of thorough risk assessments.’