As-salamu alaykum - Away fans barred from Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv over safety concerns
As-salamu alaykum - quick update about the Villa Park game next month. The Europa League home match between Aston Villa and Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv on 6 November will go ahead, but without any visiting supporters after police raised public safety concerns linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The club said the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which looks after matchday safety at Villa Park, has instructed that no away fans be allowed following advice from West Midlands Police. The police warned of the risk of protests and public disorder around the stadium, and after their assessment the game was judged high risk.
The SAG includes people from Birmingham City Council, the emergency services and the police, and it issues the safety certificates for fixtures. West Midlands Police said the decision came after a thorough assessment and pointed to past incidents - including violent clashes and hate crime at a previous Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam - when judging the risks.
That Amsterdam game last year saw serious trouble: reports said supporters from the visiting team were assaulted in hit-and-run attacks, there were clashes over two days, chants and vandalism, and many people were detained. Some attackers were later jailed. The force said banning away fans was aimed at reducing risks to public safety and reiterated a zero-tolerance position on hate crime.
The move has prompted a lot of criticism. The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said it was the wrong decision and that the police should protect all fans so they can watch matches without fear. The UK's Jewish Leadership Council also criticised the ban, arguing it’s wrong to stop supporters attending because their safety can’t be guaranteed and suggesting the match should be played behind closed doors. Israeli officials have urged the UK to reverse the decision.
On the other hand, Ayoub Khan, the MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, welcomed the ban, saying the decision was necessary given the clear safety risks and the level of hostility around the fixture. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign had earlier called for the match to be cancelled, citing their political concerns.
Personally, I just hope everyone stays safe and that cooler heads prevail. May Allah protect those attending events and help bring peace to those affected by this conflict. Insha'Allah we see less violence around sport in future.
https://www.thenationalnews.co