‘This is the wrong decision’: Starmer criticises move to BAN fans of Israeli club from Aston Villa clash amid ‘safety and security fears’

Sir Keir Starmer has blasted Aston Villa’s move to ban fans of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv, branding it the ‘wrong decision’.

Villa released a statement on Thursday announcing that no away fans will be permitted to attend the Europa League match next month, amid ‘fears over safety and security’.

The decision was made by the Premier League club after consultation with West Midlands Police and their Safety Advisory Group, which provides safety certificates ahead of all matches at Villa Park.

And just hours after the statement was released, the Prime Minister took to social media to express his disagreement, in an X post.

‘This is the wrong decision,’ he said. ‘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 club statement, posted on Thursday afternoon, read: ‘Aston Villa can confirm the club has been informed that no away fans may attend the UEFA Europa League match with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, November 6, following an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group.

‘The Safety Advisory Group (SAG) are responsible for issuing safety certificates for every match at Villa Park, based on a number of physical and safety factors.

Fans of Israeli club Maccabi have been banned from watching their team at Aston Villa next month

The Prime Minister took to social media to condemn the decision on Thursday night

‘Following a meeting this afternoon, the SAG have formally written to the club and UEFA to advise no away fans will be permitted to attend Villa Park for this fixture. 

‘West Midlands Police have advised the SAG that they have public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night.

‘The club are in continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities throughout this ongoing process, with the safety of supporters attending the match and the safety of local residents at the forefront of any decision.’

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Villa’s banning order as a ‘national disgrace’.

She added: ‘How have things come to this? 

‘Starmer pledged that Jews are welcome and safe in Britain. That he stands shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community and will use the full force of his government to prove it. 

‘Will he back those words with action and guarantee that Jewish fans can walk into any football stadium in this country? 

‘If not, it sends a horrendous and shameful message: there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go.’

Andrew Fox took to X to release a statement on behalf of the Aston Villa Jewish Villans supporters’ club, which read: ‘In the summer of 1938, on a tour of Germany, the name Aston Villa became famous around the world, as the only visiting team who refused an official request to perform the Nazi salute prior to kickoff. 

‘Today, the same club have been forced by the local authorities to salute modern day Nazism. 

‘We lay no blame on Villa – it would absolutely not be safe to allow thousands of Jews to walk around Aston and its surroundings. Why that may be so should trouble the entire country. 

‘It must also be said that following the announcement, we have been inundated with Villa fans happy to give up their seats to travelling Tel Aviv supporters.’

Unai Emery’s side are scheduled to host the Israeli club in the Europa League on November 6

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were targeted by antisemitic attacks during their trip to Ajax last year

Dozens of arrests were made after attacks were made on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam

West Midlands Police confirmed in its own statement that the decision was made based on ‘previous incidents’, namely when Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were targets of antisemitic attacks during the club’s Europa League match against Ajax in Amsterdam last year.

An astonishing 68 people were arrested after attacks were made on Israeli football supporters, prompting Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof to label the assaults ‘shocking and reprehensible’.

West Midlands Police has also confirmed the match at Villa Park is being classified a ‘high risk’ after a lengthy assessment.

A spokesperson said: ‘West Midlands Police supports the decision to prohibit away supporters from attending.’

‘This decision is based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.

‘Based on our professional judgement, we believe this measure will help mitigate risks to public safety.

‘We remain steadfast in our support all affected communities, and reaffirm our zero-tolerance stance on hate crime in all its forms.’

The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters has not only been criticised by Starmer — it has also infuriated members and allies of the Jewish community.

West Midlands Police confirmed the incident in Amsterdam played a part in the decision

The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters has been met with a furious backlash

The Jewish Leadership Council labelled the decision ‘perverse’ in a furious statement online

Former Labour MP Lord Ian Austin, who is a season-ticket holder at Aston Villa and one of the Jewish community’s closest political allies, fumed: ‘I am appalled that West Midlands Police said that no away fans should be allowed to come to the match.

‘It looks like they have capitulated to a campaign by trouble-makers and abdicated their responsibility to ensure people can go about their lawful business safely.

‘Birmingham is a great international city. It welcomes visitors from all over the world and they must be able to come in safety. 

‘International sport is one of our most important exports and this has major implications for fixtures in the future. 

‘Birmingham is one of the venues for the European Championships in 2028 but the police’s decision must surely put that at risk if they are saying they can’t guarantee pubic safety.

‘The Chief Constable must review this immediately and I will be asking the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to ask him to do so.’

Elsewhere, the Jewish Leadership Council posted on social media platform X: ‘It is perverse that away fans should be banned from a football match because West Midlands Police can’t guarantee their safety. 

‘Aston Villa should face the consequences of this decision and the match should be played behind closed doors.’