Sir Keir Starmer has branded a decision to ban Israeli fans from attending an Aston Villa match next month as “wrong”, joining in condemnation of the move.
Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group – the body responsible for issuing safety certificates for every match at Villa Park – has barred fans of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv from the club’s Europa League visit on 6 November amid public safety fears.
West Midlands Police said they had classified the fixture as high risk 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”.
But the decision has attracted widespread anger, including from the Prime Minister, who said 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.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch branded the move a “national disgrace”, while Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said it was a “shameful decision”.
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