Senior Government figures will meet on Friday in an urgent attempt to overturn the controversial ban preventing Israeli football fans from attending next month's match in Birmingham. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Home Office officials will lead high-level discussions aimed at reversing the decision that bars Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from the fixture against Aston Villa.
Minister Ian Murray, whose brief covers government culture and science departments, confirmed the intervention following widespread political condemnation. He told Sky News: "The Prime Minister and the Government have been clear about that. In fact, pretty much every politician has been clear about that."
Murray described the ban as "completely and utterly unacceptable" and emphasised the government's determination to resolve the issue. He added: "It's an operational issue for the police, and Government doesn't get involved in operational issues for the police. But I know the Culture Secretary of State (Ms Nandy) will be meeting with the Home Office and other stakeholders today to try and see if there's a way through this."
Police cite security concerns
West Midlands Police classified the Aston Villa versus Maccabi Tel Aviv fixture as high risk based on current intelligence and previous incidents. The force specifically referenced "violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 Uefa Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam".
Those Amsterdam clashes saw violent confrontations between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli fans around the Europa League match between Dutch club Ajax and Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv. Five men received prison sentences and more than 60 people were detained in riots that prompted accusations of deliberate antisemitic attacks.
Opposition voices challenge decision
Andrew Fox, honorary president of Aston Villa Jewish Villans supporters' club, dismissed the ban as "a political message rather than a safety message". The retired British Army major told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There's no evidence of Maccabi's fans being particularly violent. They don't have a track record in all of their previous European games of having a violent fan group."
Uefa urged UK authorities to ensure Maccabi Tel Aviv fans could attend the Birmingham match. The organisation stated: "Uefa wants fans to be able to travel and support their team in a safe, secure and welcoming environment, and encourages both teams and the competent authorities to agree on the implementation of appropriate measures necessary to allow this to happen."
Widespread political condemnation
Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Labour) strongly criticised the ban, writing on X: "This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation."
The condemnation came on the same day Starmer announced new measures to combat antisemitism, including an NHS review, during a visit to the Community Security Trust. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch joined the condemnation, branding the decision a "national disgrace".
Murray later told BBC Breakfast the decision sends the "wrong message" that "you will be banned from going to public events if you're of the wrong race, religion or creed".
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
