Maccabi Tel Aviv is not going to promote tickets to their followers for the Europa League match at Villa Park, the Israeli membership have stated.
The native Security Advisory Group (SAG) opted final week to dam visiting followers from attending the tie in opposition to Aston Villa on November 6 following a threat evaluation by West Midlands Police.
This choice drew rapid criticism from politicians, together with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
After an outcry, the UK authorities stated on Friday it was exploring what “additional resources and support are required” to permit “all fans” to attend.
Nevertheless, Maccabi launched a press release on Monday night time confirming they won’t promote supporters tickets: “The well-being and security of our followers is paramount and, from laborious classes discovered, we have now taken the choice to say no any allocation supplied on behalf of away followers, and our choice needs to be understood in that context.
“We hope that circumstances will change and look forward to being able to play in Birmingham in a sporting environment in the near future.”
The assertion questioned the motives of these in search of to justify the ban.
“We acknowledge the efforts of the UK government and police to ensure both sets of fans can attend the match safely, and are grateful for the messages of support from across the footballing community and society at large,” stated the membership.
“Our first-team squad consists of Muslims, Christian and Jewish players and our fan base also crosses the ethnic and religious divide. We have also been working tirelessly to stamp out racism within the more extreme elements of our fan base.
“It’s clear that varied entrenched teams search to malign the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan base, most of whom don’t have any truck with racism or hooliganism of any type, and are exploiting remoted incidents for their very own social and political ends.
“As a result of the hate-filled falsehoods, a toxic atmosphere has been created, which makes the safety of our fans wishing to attend very much in doubt.”
A press release from a authorities spokesperson in response to Maccabi’s choice to disclaim the sale of tickets to followers learn: “The government has been working around the clock to defend a basic principle – that football fans should be able to enjoy a game without fear of intimidation or violence.
“We’re deeply saddened Maccabi Tel Aviv have turned down their away fan allocation however we respect their proper to take action.
“It is completely unacceptable that this game has been weaponised to stoke violence and fear by those who seek to divide us.
“We’ll by no means tolerate antisemitism or extremism on our streets. We’ll proceed to work carefully with the police to make sure that this recreation goes forward safely, and that Jewish communities throughout this nation get the protection and safety they deserve.”
The Tel Aviv derby between rivals Hapoel and Maccabi was called off on Sunday following violent clashes between supporters. Police said 12 people and three officers were injured.
Following the disorder, Independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr Ayoub Khan described fans of Maccabi as “hooligans, individuals who present no mercy” and demanded the Prime Minister apologise for his criticism of the ban.
Earlier on Monday, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the decision to bar supporters “chooses exclusion” of Jewish people.
In response to an urgent question in the House of Commons from former Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston on Monday, Nandy said the final call must ultimately be made by the police.
However, she said the country “needs to be appalled” that the initial risk assessment was, she claimed, “primarily based in no small half on the danger posed to these followers which might be attending who assist Maccabi as a result of they’re Israeli, and since they’re Jewish”.
She added: “The answer that’s proposed, to exclude a bunch from attending, is flawed. It chooses exclusion fairly than wanting on the full choices out there to handle that threat. That is about who we’re as a rustic.”
West Midlands Police last week classified the fixture as “excessive threat”. They said the decision was “primarily based on present intelligence and former incidents, together with violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred through the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam”.
