Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv have confirmed they will not accept any ticket allocation for their Europa League away match at Aston Villa on 6 November, citing fan safety concerns.

The decision comes after Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) initially banned travelling fans from attending the fixture, classifying it as “high risk” due to previous incidents, including violent clashes in the 2024 Europa League between Ajax and Maccabi.

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Club Statement

Maccabi Tel Aviv emphasized that the wellbeing and safety of supporters is their priority:

“A toxic atmosphere has been created which makes the safety of our fans wishing to attend very much in doubt… We hope that circumstances will change and look forward to playing in Birmingham in a sporting environment in the near future.”

The club also acknowledged the UK government’s efforts to facilitate a safe environment, despite the decision being beyond their control.

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Government and Police Response

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy pledged government support to ensure away fans could attend safely, stating:

“We are deeply saddened Maccabi Tel Aviv have turned down their away fan allocation but we respect their right to do so… Football fans should be able to enjoy a game without fear of intimidation or violence.”

West Midlands Police classified the fixture as high-risk, referencing previous violence and hate crime linked to matches involving Maccabi.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called any restrictions due to antisemitism “wrong” and affirmed:

“We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.”

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Background

• The match is set for Villa Park on 6 November 2025.
• The decision to ban fans sparked debate over public safety and antisemitism in England.
• Maccabi’s recent Israeli derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled due to riots, though Maccabi stressed the cancellation was not caused by their supporters.

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Analysis

While local authorities may find relief in avoiding a potential reversal, the situation remains highly politicized. Questions persist about:

• The intelligence behind the “high-risk” classification.
• The safety of future international fixtures in Birmingham, including the 2026 European Athletics Championships and Euro 2028 matches.
• The broader implications for football governance and fan travel across Europe.

Even without Maccabi supporters, the match will face intense scrutiny regarding local authorities’ handling of international events.