Maccabi Tel Aviv have been handed a suspended one-match away fan ban by UEFA following incidents of racist and discriminatory behaviour by their supporters during last week’s Europa League group-stage match against Stuttgart. The club has also been fined €20,000 (£17,550).

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Details of UEFA Sanctions

UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) confirmed that Maccabi Tel Aviv’s ban from selling tickets to their fans for the next away UEFA match will be suspended for a probationary period of two years. If similar incidents occur during this period, the ban could be enforced.

The disciplinary measures come after the match on 11 December, which Stuttgart won 4-1, leaving Maccabi with just one point from six group-stage matches in the Europa League.

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Background: Previous Fan Restrictions

This is not the first time Maccabi’s travelling supporters have faced restrictions in European competition:

• In November 2025, Maccabi fans were barred from attending an away match against Aston Villa in the Europa League due to safety concerns.
• The decision was widely criticised, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer describing it as “wrong” and reiterating that antisemitism would not be tolerated on British streets.

Following the Villa match, West Midlands Police officials gave evidence to the Home Affairs Committee of MPs on 1 December. Committee chair Karen Bradley requested further information from both the police and Birmingham City Council regarding the decision-making process behind the fan ban.

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Impact on Maccabi Tel Aviv

The disciplinary action adds to Maccabi Tel Aviv’s challenging Europa League campaign. With only one point from six matches, the club has already been eliminated from the competition. The suspended fan ban, however, serves as a warning for future behaviour: any recurrence of racism or discrimination during UEFA competitions could result in an enforced ban on travelling supporters.

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UEFA’s Stance on Discrimination

UEFA continues to take a zero-tolerance approach to racist and discriminatory behaviour in football. Suspended sanctions, fines, and fan bans are tools used to hold clubs accountable while promoting safer environments for supporters across Europe.