The Government expressed deep sorrow over Maccabi Tel Aviv’s rejection of their allocated tickets for the Europa League match against Aston Villa. The decision came after the local Safety Advisory Group prevented visiting fans from attending the game due to concerns raised by West Midlands Police.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy criticized the exclusion of supporters, stating that the move unfairly targets Jewish fans. Despite efforts to address the issue, Maccabi Tel Aviv opted to refrain from sending fans to the match.
In response, a Government spokesperson emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for football fans. They acknowledged Maccabi’s decision but condemned any attempts to incite violence or fear during the game.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, in a statement, emphasized the safety of their fans as the primary concern and cited past experiences as the reason for declining the away fan allocation. They expressed hope for a future opportunity to play in Birmingham under better conditions.
West Midlands Police categorized the fixture as high-risk based on intelligence and previous incidents, including clashes during a previous Europa League match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv. Independent MP Ayoub Khan criticized the situation, accusing some of unfairly associating policing matters with religious issues.
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