Israeli fans have been banned from attending Aston Villa’s Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv next month.
West Midlands Police has said the fixture at Villa Park on November 6 is assessed as ‘high risk’ attributable to safety concerns.
A police spokesperson said: ‘This decision is predicated on current intelligence and former incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred in the course of the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.
‘Based on our skilled judgement, we imagine this measure will help mitigate risks to public safety.
‘While the protection certificate is issued by Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police supports the choice to ban away supporters from attending.’
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An announcement from Villa on Thursday read: ‘Aston Villa can confirm the club has been informed that no away fans may attend the UEFA Europa League match with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, November 6, following an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group.
‘The Safety Advisory Group (SAG) are chargeable for issuing safety certificates for each match at Villa Park, based on quite a lot of physical and safety aspects.
‘Following a gathering this afternoon, the SAG have formally written to the club and UEFA to advise no away fans shall be permitted to attend Villa Park for this fixture.
‘West Midlands Police have advised the SAG that they’ve public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the flexibility to take care of any potential protests on the night.
‘The club are in continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities throughout this ongoing process, with the protection of supporters attending the match and the protection of local residents on the forefront of any decision.’
Last November, Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were attacked in Amsterdam after the club’s Europa League game against Ajax.
Before the match, Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were filmed cheering as a big Palestinian flag was taken down from a constructing in town centre, while a clash between fans and a bunch of taxi drivers was also reported.
One one that attended the pro-Palestine demonstration before police intervened told Dutch broadcaster AT5 that the video which showed Maccabi Tel Aviv fans removing the Palestinian flag had ’caused quite a lot of anger’.
Ajax fans were angered moments before kick-off inside Johan Cruyff Arena as Maccabi Tel Aviv’s supporters disrupted a minute’s silence which was held in memory of the victims of the deadly floods in Valencia.
Dutch police escorted Maccabi Tel Aviv’s supporters from the stadium to busses and train stations after the match but isolated Israelis travelling away from the essential group of fans were attacked on the streets.
Last month, fans of Greek side PAOK held up a banner which read ‘stop genocide’ during their Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Earlier this week, Israel’s national anthem was whistled and booed by Italy supporters during their World Cup qualifier.
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