The Government is exploring additional police support needed to allow fans from both sides to attend Aston Villa's Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv in November. Ministers are working to overturn a controversial ban on Israeli supporters that was announced on Thursday night.
A Government spokesman said: "No one should be stopped from watching a football game simply because of who they are. The Government is working with policing and other partners to do everything in our power to ensure this game can safely go ahead, with all fans present."
Police assessment expected
West Midlands Police are expected to outline early next week what resources they would need to safely police the November 6 fixture with both sets of fans present. Birmingham's safety advisory group will discuss the issue at a meeting early next week.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy (Labour) and Communities Secretary Steve Reed (Labour) have been speaking to those involved in the decision since Thursday night. The Home Office has offered support to Birmingham police in a bid to overturn the ban.
Security concerns cited
West Midlands Police classified the Villa Park fixture as high risk based on "current intelligence and previous incidents". The force pointed to violent clashes and hate crime offences during the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.
Birmingham City Council said on Friday the decision would not be reviewed unless there was a change in the police risk assessment. However, West Midlands police and crime commissioner Simon Foster has called for the decision to be reviewed.
Political criticism mounts
Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) was "angered" by the decision, with Downing Street saying the Prime Minister was "entitled to speak out on fundamental principles of fairness like this". The ban has faced widespread criticism across the political spectrum.
The UK Football Policing Unit revealed the Home Office was briefed "last week" about potential restrictions, but Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (Labour) wasn't informed of the final decision until Thursday night. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said this left Mahmood with "serious questions to answer" about why her department did "nothing" to avert the ban.
Labour West Midlands mayor Richard Parker suggested the Government could finance the policing costs if the ban is overturned. Mahmood posted on social media: "Antisemitism is a stain on our society that shames us all. Every football fan, whoever they are, should be able to watch their team in safety."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
