Maccabi Tel Aviv will not accept any away fan tickets for their upcoming match against Aston Villa, even if local authorities reverse the decision to bar their supporters. This decision follows safety concerns raised by British Police, who cited potential protests outside Villa Park, building on previous demonstrations at Maccabi's recent qualifiers. The local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) had blocked visiting fans from attending the November 6th tie after a police risk assessment, a decision that drew criticism from politicians including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Maccabi Tel Aviv stated that the well-being and safety of their fans are paramount, and they have learned from past experiences. They hope circumstances will change and look forward to playing in Birmingham in a safe, sporting environment in the future. The club questioned the motives behind the ban, highlighting that their squad and fanbase are diverse, including Muslim, Christian, and Jewish players and supporters, and that they actively work to combat racism and hooliganism within their own ranks. Maccabi believes that entrenched groups are exploiting isolated incidents for political gain, creating a toxic atmosphere that jeopardizes the safety of their fans.
A UK Government spokesperson expressed sadness at Maccabi's decision but respected their right to decline the allocation. They condemned the weaponization of the game to incite violence and fear, stating that antisemitism and extremism will not be tolerated. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had previously criticized the ban as "exclusion" and questioned the police's risk assessment, suggesting it was based on fans being Israeli and Jewish, which she found appalling. She argued tha... download the app to read more
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