Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban ‘almost certain to be overturned’
Government source criticises intelligence assessment used to ban Israeli fans from Villa Park, saying too much weight given to campaign by local pro-Gaza MP
A government source has told Jewish News that the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa is “almost certain to be overturned,” describing the intelligence behind the decision as “incredibly weak.”
A Downing Street spokesperson said on Friday:”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.
“Like everyone seeing this news, the PM has been angered by the decision.
“Football has been a unifying force for decades and everyone should be able to attend a football match without fear of violence or intimidation regardless of their religion, nationality or background.”
On Thursday, it emerged that Israeli supporters would be barred from attending the November 6 fixture at Villa Park, citing safety concerns.
The decision was made by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group after West Midlands Police advised the match was “high risk,” referencing “current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences during the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.”
It is understood that the football intelligence officials within the Home Office had also been supportive of the decision.
But there are now claims that crucial evidence has been overlooked, including a report sent to Birmingham’s safety group one week ago by Lord Mann, the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism.
In his letter Lord Mann is understood to have stressed that the image of Maccabi fans as being more violent than other fans was a false one.
The move was immediately condemned by the Prime Minister and Jewish communal leaders.
Keir Starmer called the move “the wrong decision” and Kemi Badenoch said it was “a national disgrace”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to openly challenge the intelligence assessment in a meeting with Home Office officials on Friday.
Maccabi previously played in London against Chelsea (2015) and Stoke (2011) without incident. Aston Villa have also hosted high-risk European matches safely, including their December 2025 clash against RB Leipzig.
Plans are already in place to ensure the safe arrival and departure of Maccabi fans, including police escorts from a fixed point to the stadium and strict ticketing arrangements.
Tickets would only be distributed in person as fans boarded official coaches, with no public sale elsewhere.
Birmingham City Council may challenge the ban in court, fearing it could set a precedent for future sporting events.
Council leader John Cotton confirmed he opposed the ban in a recent meeting with police chiefs.
Birmingham is set to host the European Athletics Championships next year, with Israeli athletes expected to compete, and Villa Park is a venue for the UK’s Euro 2028 tournament.
Another government source told Jewish News they expected the ban was likely be lifted.
“It’s almost certain to be lifted,” they said, adding “relying on evidence submitted by the local MP is incredibly weak.”
Ian Murray, a minister in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, called the decision “completely and utterly unacceptable,” adding that the Prime Minister was committed to resolving the issue.
There are concerns that too much weight was given to arguments from local pro-Gaza MP Ayoud Khan, who has campaigned to bar Maccabi fans, citing safety risks.
Appearing on BBC Newsnight, Khan rejected allegations that his campaign was based on anti-Israel sentiment or antisemitism, saying: “We cannot conflate antisemitism with what some of these fans did in Amsterdam in 2024. We’re talking about violent fans, and I think the Prime Minister should stay out of operational matters.”
Security sources, however, argued that Khan’s campaigning had itself heightened security concerns.
“The biggest worry at the match would not be the Maccabi fans, but how to stop Villa fans confronting Ayoud Khan and his small band of anti-Israel fanatics outside the ground,” said one source.
They added that banning Maccabi fans would not resolve any real security issues, noting that supporters of proscribed groups like Palestine Action could still target the match regardless of the ban.
Crucially, Jewish News understands there is no intelligence suggesting that Maccabi fans implicated in previous violence intended to travel to Birmingham.
The club was expected to bring around 1,500 fans, including UK-based Israelis, with a reduced ticket allocation for the game.
While violence did occur during the Ajax-Maccabi tie in Amsterdam in 2024, there is little evidence to suggest similar trouble was anticipated in Birmingham.
Simon Foster, West Midlands police and crime commissioner, has also called for a review of whether the Maccabi fan ban is “reasonable and proportionate.”
But supporters of the ban argue it is no different to a growing number of interventions across European football to prevent supporters from travelling.
This season supporters of Dutch side Ajax and the German club Eintracht Frankfurt have been told not to travel to Marseille and Naples respectively after local officials intervened on grounds of safety.
Jewish News has previously reported on the anti-Israel exploits of local Birmingham MP Khan.
While a Lib Dem councillor he refused to undertake antisemitism training, having compared the Jewish state with the Nazis.Lib Dem councillor sparks fury after refusing to address antisemitism concerns
We also revealed he had questioned the extent of Hamas crimes on October 7, before being elected as the independent MP for Perry Barr at the last election. Former councillor exposed by JN for questioning extent of Hamas crimes now an MP
More recently, he claimed there are “no red lines” between Hamas and Israel after accusing the IDF of “beheading babies, rape, and hostage taking” in Gaza.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
