Discussions are happening “at pace” across government to reverse a safety ban preventing fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending next month’s Europa League game at Aston Villa, Downing Street has said.
It comes after one minister branded the move “unacceptable” on Friday, following condemnation from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last night.
The Tel Aviv club are due to play Villa on November 6, but travelling supporters have been banned from attending by the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches at Villa Park.
The ruling was made based on advice from West Midlands Police, who raised concerns about public safety and the force’s ability to deal with potential protests.
The West Midlands’ police and crime commissioner has urged an urgent review into the ruling.
A No 10 spokesman told reporters: “Culture secretary Lisa Nandy is meeting officials to discuss what more can be done to try and find a way through to resolve this, and what more can be done to allow fans to attend the game safely.
“The secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, Steve Reed, spoke to the local council this morning, and the Home Office is urgently working to support police to try and find a way through this.
“You can expect to hear further updates today. I won’t pre-empt the conversations, but these are happening at pace, across Government, with all the relevant groups to find and resolve this.”
The spokesperson went on to state the move had “angered” Starmer.
“The Prime Minister will do everything in his power to give Jewish communities the security they deserve and, as he has made clear, we think this is the wrong decision,” they continued.
“Like everyone seeing this news, the PM has been angered by the decision. We should not have a country where we have to tell people to stay away from certain events because we cannot protect them, or they may be a victim of racism.”
Starmer had earlier written on X: “This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.”
“The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”
The National Police Chief Council’s UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPC) said the Home Office was briefed last week on the restrictions that could be made on visiting fans, and stressed that the SAG is made up of independent bodies.
The UKFPC continued: “It is important that we respect and support the structures in place for making these decisions. If there are any adverse incidents, then they are the ones that will be held responsible.
“The UKFPU, in the wake of the Casey Review following the serious disorder at Wembley in 2021, has suggested that if the government want a role in regulating football events that could be termed ‘events of national significance’, then they need to bring forward legislation to formalise this to ensure accountability sits with decision-makers.”
On Friday, the police and crime commissioner for the West Midlands, Simon Foster, confirmed that both SAG and West Midlands Police will meet to review the decision.
“The safety and security of all the people and communities of the West Midlands, including visitors to the West Midlands, is my top priority. That is absolute, unconditional and non-negotiable,” he added.
Emily Damari, a former hostage held by Hamas and a dual British-Israeli, condemned the decision and called for those involved to reconsider.
Describing herself as a “die-hard fan” of Maccabi Tel Aviv, she said: “I am shocked to my core with this outrageous decision to ban me, my family and my friends from attending an Aston Villa game in the UK.
“Football is a way of bringing people together irrespective of their faith, colour or religion, and this disgusting decision does the exact opposite. Shame on you, I hope you come to your senses and reconsider.”
Maccabi’s chief executive, Jack Angelidis, expressed concern about the meaning of the judgment and the motivation behind it.
“We understand the reasons that have been put to us, which are to do with the feeling that the authorities will not be able to adequately protect our fans who would be attending the match,” he told the BBC.
“But I do think this is an extremely important moment because of what it signifies. I don’t use this term lightly but people ask ‘what does antisemitism look like?’, and it’s often manifested as part of a process, in other words small events leading up to something that’s more sinister.”
Green Party’s deputy leader Mothin Ali said Starmer’s objection to banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans was “irresponsible”.
He said: “Everyone should be able to feel safe when they attend a football match, that’s non-negotiable.
“It’s irresponsible for Keir Starmer to question a safety decision of a local authority, especially when he is responsible for their chronic underfunding.”
Ali also called for “a sporting and cultural boycott of all Israeli teams, like we saw for South African teams under apartheid”.
In September, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were held behind a police cordon before entering a stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece, as pro-Palestine protests took place before the match against PAOK FC.
Last year, more than 60 people were arrested in Amsterdam after violence erupted following a Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The city’s police said rioters had “actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them”.
The violence was condemned by Dutch and Israeli leaders as antisemitic.
Large crowds of supporters of the Israeli team were reported to have chanted anti-Arab slogans ahead of the game. Maccabi fans were understood to have used the same chant during matches in Israel.
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