No Away Fans for Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Aston Villa Match

Supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv will not be permitted to attend the Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham on November 6, citing “various physical and safety concerns.”

Earlier on Thursday, sources informed The Athletic that West Midlands Police (WMP) had requested a ticket ban for away fans. Aston Villa later confirmed this decision through a statement.

The police advised the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) of the city against allowing away supporter tickets at Villa Park. UEFA, the governing body of the tournament, is anticipated to support the local authorities’ recommendation. The SAG, which consists of emergency services, the club, and various stakeholders, provides safety guidance for the match.

Unidentified sources noted that this matter was discussed during an emergency meeting on Thursday, which included representatives from Birmingham City Council, the SAG, and Aston Villa. Villa stated that WMP raised concerns about public safety outside the stadium and the management of potential protests on match night.

Recent calls have emerged to ban Israeli teams from UEFA competitions in response to criticisms of Israel’s military actions in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The U.S. State Department previously indicated its intention to prevent Israel from being excluded from global soccer.

In a similar situation last November, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans faced “violent outbursts” following a match in Amsterdam against Ajax, leading to 62 arrests. Due to safety issues, 800 police officers were deployed for additional security.

The WMP classified the upcoming Aston Villa vs. Maccabi Tel-Aviv match as high risk based on current intelligence and past incidents, including violent clashes. A Birmingham City Council spokesperson stated that after thorough discussions, public safety concerns led to the decision to restrict away fan attendance.