Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Denied Tickets for Europa League Match Against Aston Villa
Maccabi Tel Aviv has officially announced that tickets for their upcoming Europa League match against Aston Villa on November 6 will not be available for purchase by fans. In a statement released on Monday evening, the Israeli football club made it clear that they will not sell tickets through any of their channels, amid mounting political pressure to allow away fans at Villa Park.
Maccabi Tel Aviv emphasized the importance of fan safety, stating, "The wellbeing and safety of our fans is paramount. Based on hard lessons learned, we have decided to decline any ticket allocation for away fans, and we hope this decision is understood in that context."
This announcement came shortly after the UK Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, pledged that the government would provide unlimited resources to ensure fans could attend the match. However, the Birmingham Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which includes local stakeholders such as council representatives, police, and event organizers, deemed the match a "high risk" for violence based on current intelligence and past incidents involving fan clashes.
Maccabi Tel Aviv expressed their belief that football should unite people rather than create divisions. They have been actively working to combat racism among their more extreme fan elements, acknowledging that such issues are not unique to Israeli football but are a global concern, including in the UK.
The club’s statement highlighted the toxic atmosphere created by misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric, which they believe jeopardizes the safety of fans wishing to attend the match. They stated, "The remarks being generated are of the most concerning variety, not just for Maccabi Tel Aviv or football, but for society’s underlying values."
Maccabi Tel Aviv remains hopeful for a future where they can participate in a sporting environment in Birmingham without such tensions.
In response to the situation, a government spokesman condemned the misuse of the match to incite violence and fear. "It is completely unacceptable that this game has been weaponized by those seeking to divide us. We will not tolerate antisemitism or extremism," he said. The government continues to collaborate with police to ensure the match proceeds safely, prioritizing the safety and security of Jewish communities across the UK.
The decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the game has sparked outrage, particularly in light of recent events, including a terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue. The ban was influenced partly by violent clashes between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters during a previous Europa League match in Amsterdam.
Both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch have condemned the decision, with Badenoch calling it a "national disgrace." The situation escalated further when Maccabi’s local derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv was canceled due to violent riots, resulting in nine arrests at Bloomfield Stadium.
As the situation develops, Maccabi Tel Aviv and the football community continue to navigate these challenging circumstances, striving for a safe and inclusive environment for all fans.
