Keir Starmer In Bid To Let Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Attend Aston Villa Match Despite Ban

Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters at a Europa Conference League match against Olympiacos at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia, in March last year.Keir Starmer wants to over-rule a police decision to ban fans of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their game against Aston Villa in Birmingham next month.A furious political row has erupted after the city’s Safety Advisory Group, which is responsible for issuing safety certificates for every match at Villa Park, told the club no away fans will be permitted to attend the November 6 fixture.That decision was backed by West Midlands Police, who said they had classed the match as high risk based on “current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences” during a Maccabi Tel Aviv versus Ajax match in Amsterdam last year.In a highly unusual move, the prime minister criticised the police’s decision on X, claiming it was driven by “anti-semitism”.He said: “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 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.https://t.co/8aBeqE4qbA— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 16, 2025HuffPost UK understands urgent talks are underway in Downing Street to examine ways of ensuring Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters can still get into the game.The decision to ban their fans has been widely condemned by senior politicians, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch describing it as “a national disgrace”.This is a national disgrace.How have things come to this?Starmer pledged that Jews are welcome and safe in Britain. That he stands shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community and will use the full force of his government to prove it.Will he back those words with action… https://t.co/3gZ41UFWFv— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) October 16, 2025Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said those supporting the ban who have blamed previous hooliganism by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans “are desperate not to acknowledge or admit their own racism”.‘We’re not banning them because they’re Jewish, it’s because they’re hooligans…’ is the risible defence for the MT ban from people who know nothing about football or hooliganism, but are desperate not to acknowledge or admit their own racism. This is a stain on Britain.— Tim Farron (@timfarron) October 16, 2025However, the ban was welcomed by Ayoub Khan, the independent MP for Birmingham Perry, who organised a petition for the Israeli club’s fans to be banned.In a letter posted on X, he drew a direct link between the decision and the war in Gaza.He said: “Sports entertainment events should be enjoyed by all, regradless of their race, ethnicity and background.“But there are rare instances where the political dynamics surrounding such spectacles cannot be ignored, and where drastic action must be taken to ensure the safety of fans, players, staff and local residents.”I welcome the news that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will not be permitted to watch the match at Aston Villa! Well done to all those that signed our petition! pic.twitter.com/cRDtdDc7ad— Ayoub Khan MP (@AyoubKhanMP) October 16, 2025His comments sparked an angry backlash from MPs.This is a terrible decision, not something we should be celebrating. Politics and sports should never mix. Imagine how the Jewish community of the West Midlands must be feeling right now.The West Midlands is better than this. I believe in a better Britain than this. https://t.co/a7g0Wa2ojO— Saqib Bhatti MP (@bhatti_saqib) October 16, 2025Ayoub thinks that Jews should be banned from football matches.He is an unintegrated, racist antisemite. This is an acid test for the Government. After all they’ve said these past weeks, are Jews safe and welcome in Britain? https://t.co/Bbn3OUdiM4— Jack Rankin MP 🇬🇧 (@jackmrankin) October 16, 2025Sickening https://t.co/TAjDdSCUwi— Laura Trott MP (@LauraTrottMP) October 16, 2025A member of Parliament petitioned for this to happen. Let that sink in. https://t.co/BbEF63hWma— Claire Coutinho (@ClaireCoutinho) October 16, 2025Related...Eurovision Organisers Have Another Update On Israel's Involvement After 'Developments In The Middle East'BBC Expert Says The Israel-Palestine Conflict 'Will Continue' Despite Trump's Peace PlanTrump Declares 'The War Is Over' As Israel Hostages Are Freed At Last

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