Independent Member of Parliament Ayoub Khan has publicly demanded an apology from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This follows Starmer's condemnation of West Midlands Police's decision to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham next month. Khan asserts that recent fan violence involving Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in Israel underscores the validity of the police's initial safety concerns.

The controversy intensified after a football derby in Tel Aviv between Hapoel and Maccabi was cancelled on Sunday, October 19, 2025, due to rioting involving Maccabi fans. Israeli police reported "disorderly conduct, riots, the hurling of objects, smoke grenades, fireworks, injured officers and damage to the stadium infrastructure," leading to the evacuation of Bloomfield Stadium and the arrest of nine individuals.

Historical and Political Context

Last week, West Midlands Police announced the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans for the November 6 match, classifying the fixture as "high-risk." The decision was based on "current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offenses that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Amsterdam." During the Amsterdam incident, Maccabi fans were reportedly involved in tearing down Palestinian flags, chanting racist slogans, and vandalising property.

Prime Minister Starmer, along with other prominent political figures like Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, criticised the ban, interpreting it as the police capitulating to antisemitism and failing to protect Jewish football supporters. Starmer stated, "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."

Laws, Policy, and Governance

The decision to ban away fans was made by Birmingham City Council's Safety Advisory Group (SAG), acting on advice from West Midlands Police. The SAG is responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches at Villa Park. Following political pressure, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster requested an "immediate review" of the decision. However, Birmingham City Council has indicated that the ban will only be reviewed if the police change their risk assessment.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

MP Ayoub Khan, whose Birmingham Perry Barr constituency is where the match will take place, had actively campaigned for the ban. He launched a petition to cancel the match, citing both the situation in Gaza and the "track record of violence by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans." Khan welcomed the police's initial decision, framing it as a non-partisan safety measure. In a statement, he criticised Starmer and Badenoch for "conflating matters" and asserted that the issue was about hooliganism, not religion.

Conversely, groups like the Campaign Against Antisemitism have written to Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police, threatening a judicial review of the decision. Emily Damari, a British-Israeli former hostage, expressed her shock and disgust at the ban, calling it a "disgusting decision" that goes against the spirit of football.

Evidence and Data

Risks and Implications

The ongoing debate highlights a tension between public safety concerns and accusations of antisemitism. The government's efforts to reverse the ban, including offering additional resources to the police, underscore the political sensitivity of the issue. Critics argue that overturning the ban due to political pressure could undermine the independence of police risk assessments and set a dangerous precedent.

Unknowns and Controversies

The precise nature of West Midlands Police's concerns remains somewhat unclear. While they cited "violent clashes and hate crime offences" from previous matches, they did not explicitly state whether the primary worry was protecting Maccabi fans from protesters or protecting local residents from the fans themselves. This ambiguity has fueled different interpretations of the ban's intent.

Timeline and Next Steps

• Sunday, October 19, 2025: Tel Aviv derby cancelled due to fan rioting.
• Thursday, October 16, 2025: West Midlands Police and Birmingham SAG announce ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.
• Friday, October 17, 2025: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticises the ban. West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster requests a review.
• Next Week: A special SAG meeting is expected to be convened to review the decision.
• Thursday, November 6, 2025: Aston Villa vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League match.

What to Watch

The outcome of the review by the Birmingham City Council Safety Advisory Group and West Midlands Police will be crucial. The government's commitment to providing resources to ensure fan attendance suggests a strong desire for the ban to be reversed. The broader implications for how football matches involving Israeli teams are policed in the UK, particularly amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, will also be closely watched.