Aston Villa will not permit away supporters to attend their upcoming Europa League fixture against Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 6. The decision, announced by the Premier League club on Thursday, October 16, 2025, stems from public safety concerns raised by police regarding potential protests.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly criticized the ban, stating, “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.”
This development follows recent protests during the Israeli national team’s World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Norway, where law enforcement reportedly used tear gas on both pro-Palestinian and other demonstrators.
Aston Villa explained that their decision was based on advice from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which is responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches at Villa Park. This group considered various physical and safety factors.
Public Safety Concerns at Villa Park
In an official statement, Villa confirmed, “Following a meeting this afternoon, the SAG have formally written to the club and UEFA to advise no away fans will be permitted to attend Villa Park for this fixture.” The club elaborated that West Midlands Police expressed “public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night.”
The club emphasized its ongoing communication with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities, prioritizing the safety of both match attendees and local residents in all decisions.
UEFA’s Stance on Local Authority Responsibility
UEFA reiterated its commitment to ensuring fans can travel and support their teams in a “safe, secure and welcoming environment.” The European football governing body urged both clubs and relevant authorities to agree upon necessary measures to facilitate this. However, UEFA also clarified that “In all cases, the competent local authorities remain responsible for decisions related to the safety and security of matches taking place on their territory,” noting that such decisions are based on comprehensive risk assessments that vary per match and consider past events.
Currently, Aston Villa holds third place in the Europa League standings, while Maccabi Tel Aviv is ranked 30th after two rounds.
Israel Denounces Decision as ‘Shameful’
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar publicly condemned Aston Villa’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “shameful decision.” Saar urged UK authorities to “reverse this coward decision.”
The global football governing body, FIFA, has faced continuous pressure to intervene regarding the conflict in Gaza, with Palestinian officials advocating for Israel’s suspension from international football. While FIFA has been reviewing the matter for months, no final decision has been reached. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has consistently stressed that such sensitive issues require consensus among confederations and must be handled with extreme caution.
Earlier in the month, FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani stated that Israel’s continued participation in international football should primarily be addressed by UEFA. Reportedly, UEFA was close to holding an emergency vote on suspending Israel from European competitions last month but postponed it following the announcement of then-U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in the region.