Aston Villa will not allow any fans from the opposing team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, to attend their home game in the Europa League on November 6. This decision was made after police expressed concerns about public safety and possible protests. The announcement was made by the Premier League club on October 16.
Why Are Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Not Allowed?
The decision follows protests during the Israel national soccer team’s World Cup qualifying matches against Norway and Italy, where police took action to manage the situation.
Police used tear gas against protesters and supporters of Palestine during demonstrations in Oslo and Udine.
Official Statement from Aston Villa
Villa explained that they were following guidance from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG). This group is in charge of giving safety approvals for events at Villa Park, taking into account various important safety and physical considerations.
“The Supporters’ Association Group (SAG) publicly told the club and UEFA this afternoon that no away fans will be allowed to attend the upcoming game at Villa Park,” the club stated.
“West Midlands Police have informed the event organizers that they have concerns about public safety outside the stadium and their ability to handle any potential protests that may occur during the event.”
“The club is always talking about the problem with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local officials about the situation. Making sure that fans who go to the game and local residents stay safe is the top priority in every decision they make.”
Reuters has reached out to Maccabi Tel Aviv to get their thoughts on the matter.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized the recent announcement.
Mr. Starmer expressed strong disapproval by saying, “This is not the right choice. We will not accept antisemitism in our communities.” He emphasized that the police should make sure all football fans can enjoy the match safely, without worrying about violence or intimidation.
UEFA’s Position on the Situation
Uefa expressed its desire for fans to have the opportunity to travel and cheer for their team in a safe, secure, and friendly atmosphere.
“Uefa encourages both teams and the relevant authorities to work together to come up with necessary steps to make this happen,” Uefa stated.
“The local authorities are in charge of making decisions about the safety and security of sports matches held in their area. These decisions depend on careful evaluations of potential risks, which can differ for each match and take into account past incidents.”
Aston Villa is currently in third place in the Europa League rankings, while Maccabi Tel Aviv is in 30th place after two matches.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized Villa’s announcement, calling it a “shameful decision” on social media platform X.
“I urge the UK authorities to change this disappointing decision,” Mr. Saar stated.
FIFA and UEFA’s Role in the Conflict
Fifa, the main organization that governs soccer around the world, is under pressure to take action regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Palestinian leaders are urging Fifa to suspend Israel from international soccer competitions.
The situation has been looked at by Fifa for several months, but they haven’t made a decision yet. Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, has mentioned that these kinds of issues need to be agreed upon by the different football confederations and should be dealt with carefully.
In early October, FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani mentioned that the issue of Israel’s ongoing involvement in international football should primarily be handled by UEFA, the governing body for European football.
Last month, UEFA was about to hold an urgent vote to decide whether to suspend Israel from European competitions. However, they decided to delay the vote after US President Donald Trump announced a plan aimed at ending the conflict in the region.
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