Aston Villa has officially declared that no away fans from Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv will be permitted to attend their upcoming Europa League match at Villa Park on November 6. This decision, announced by the Premier League club on Thursday, October 16, 2025, follows serious public safety concerns raised by the police regarding potential protests.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer immediately condemned the ban, stating emphatically, “We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.”
This move by Aston Villa comes amidst a backdrop of recent protests during Israel’s national team World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Norway, where police in Oslo and Udine had to deploy tear gas to disperse pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
In an official statement, Aston Villa clarified that their Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which oversees safety certifications for matches at Villa Park, met and subsequently informed both the club and UEFA that away fans would not be allowed for this particular fixture.
Pro-Palestinian protesters, most of them PAOK fans, gather ahead of a Europa League soccer match between PAOK and Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv in the port city of Thessaloniki, northern Greece | Photo Credit: AP
The club explained that West Midlands Police had informed the SAG about significant public safety concerns regarding potential protests outside the stadium on the night of the match, and their capacity to manage such situations. Aston Villa emphasized their ongoing discussions with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities, stressing that the safety of both attending supporters and local residents remains their utmost priority in all decisions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly expressed his disapproval of the ban.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, affirmed its commitment to ensuring fans can travel and support their teams in a “safe, secure and welcoming environment.” UEFA further stated its encouragement for both clubs and the relevant authorities to collaborate and implement necessary measures to facilitate such an environment. However, UEFA reiterated that decisions concerning match safety and security on home territory ultimately rest with competent local authorities. These decisions are made following comprehensive risk assessments, which are unique to each match and account for prior events.
Currently, Aston Villa holds the third position in the Europa League standings, while Maccabi Tel Aviv is ranked 30th after the initial two rounds.
On X (formerly Twitter), Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar vehemently criticized Aston Villa’s announcement, branding it a “shameful decision.” Saar urged UK authorities to “reverse this coward decision.”
Meanwhile, global football’s governing body, FIFA, has been under ongoing pressure to take action regarding the conflict in Gaza, with Palestinian officials advocating for Israel’s suspension from international football. This complex issue has been under FIFA’s review for several months, yet no definitive decision has been reached. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has consistently emphasized that such sensitive matters necessitate consensus among confederations and require careful handling. Earlier in the month, FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani stated that Israel’s continued involvement in international football is primarily a matter for UEFA to address. Last month, UEFA was reportedly close to holding an emergency vote on suspending Israel from European competitions. However, this proposed vote was reportedly postponed after the announcement of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan aimed at resolving the regional conflict.