Aston Villa have banned the fans from Tel Aviv from attending the game. They say that after the violence in Amsterdam when the Jewish club was there that they don't feel they can provide the level of security needed to keep fans and nearby residents safe.
There have been clashes in Norway and Italy when Israel compete.
Aston Villa say it is not antisemitism but just being safety conscious.
Maybe another way could have been found without the ban?
“Maccabi fans just want to fight”.
Well perhaps.
But who would they be fighting! The Aston Villa fans? F it was just about football.
But the fight (if it happened) would be the Maccabi fans, the Pro-Palestine protesters and anyone else who supported either side.
You can’t pretend it’s just about football with that on the agenda. Or you can………
The Israeli fracas was a derby, always problematic.
Tel Avic maccabi fans shouldn’t be banned, but if and when they do come and they alone kick off with violence ( as opposed to defending themselves from others) then there should be a future ban on them.
Oreo so you think that Maccabi fans should come to Aston Villa despite their track record of violence and disruptive behaviour?
You would be happy to see another disgraceful fracas that was seen in Israel on our streets?
The police are responsible for their own citizens and don't want anyone here who will cause danger. Their role is keeping the peace. Seems Maccabi fans just want to fight.
No, it’s the nasty people who are pro Palestinian and wish to have a punch up with Israeli Jews.
Oreo
For those who think this matter is just about football fan violence ( it isn’t) what about the situation where Ajax were coming to Villa Park? They’ve shown violence to Tel Aviv fans and several just jailed in Amsterdam, yet there would be no question of banning them.They’re not Jews and not from Israel.
What the police are bothered by is the very real threat of pro Palestinians outside the ground spoiling for a fight with the maccabi fans.
So it’s purely down to those nasty people who are unhappy about the way the Palestinians are being treated, nothing to do with the way that Maccabi fans are known to behave?
For those who think this matter is just about football fan violence ( it isn’t) what about the situation where Ajax were coming to Villa Park? They’ve shown violence to Tel Aviv fans and several just jailed in Amsterdam, yet there would be no question of banning them.They’re not Jews and not from Israel.
What the police are bothered by is the very real threat of pro Palestinians outside the ground spoiling for a fight with the maccabi fans.
If the Israeli police can make a decision to call off the game, our police should be able to just ban the fans. At least the game will still then be played.
Fairislecable
The derby game between two Tel Aviv teams was called off due to rioting:
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgr4n07509wo
If Israel can’t control their fans why should UK.
Good point.
The derby game between two Tel Aviv teams was called off due to rioting:
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgr4n07509wo
If Israel can’t control their fans why should UK.
That - unfortunately is what I think babs and aga
If Starmer and others allow Maccabi fans to come people will hold them responsible for the consequences.
To go against the assessment by the police was rash and now he is in a difficult position.
If I was in that neighbourhood I would want to know why the government was not protecting me and my family and giving precedence to foreign fans who have shown how violent they are.
Because he became involved and shouted 'antisemitism' he will be afraid of that label sticking.
I hope he has the guts to do the right thing and let the ban remain in place.
Who is he there for, I wonder, the British public or Israeli fans?
If political leaders in the UK are deliberately misreading the room in order not to have accusations of antisemitism levelled against them when antisemitism is not occurring, not only is this a Swiftian absurdity but completely partial and highly damaging inasmuch as people could assume that genuine accusations of antisemitism are simply being used as a political lever or to have immunity to rules - as with the ban - that apply to everyone else.
“In 2023, UEFA banned Legia Warsaw from having any away supporters at five European games after violent clashes at a Europa Conference League game at Aston Villa.
As recently as last month, Ajax supporters were banned from travelling to Marseille for their Champions League fixture against Olympique Marseille
Eintracht Frankfurt fans will also be banned from an upcoming Champions League match at Napoli on 4 November.
Leeds United banned Galatasaray fans from attending the second leg at Elland Road, claiming that the safety of fans inside the stadium could not be guaranteed. This followed two fatal stabbings at the first leg”.
There’s nothing new about banning fans etc.
Shows how stupid the other party leaders are too MayBee.
Whitewavemark2
AGAA4
I wonder if Starmer regrets getting involved in the situation after the violence in Israel.
Yes I have wondered that.
I do think the point about the separation of police and politics is really important.
The police look at security and risk and nothing else. To suggest otherwise is to politicise the police, which is a very dangerous road to travel.
Imo he’s completely misjudged this. However, all of the other party leaders are supporting him because they’re terrified of appearing anti semitic.
I would imagine that the police local to any football stadium have a pretty concise list of which away teams are the ones to watch out for. It annoys me that, as someone who is quite happy for my own team or the England teams fans to be banned for bad behaviour why should I support another team with disruptive fans being allowed to play here because, to do so makes me anti semitic.
He's looking very silly growstuff as are others who are calling this decision antisemitism.
I totally agree Babs.
@growstuff yes Starmer is looking increasingly stupid over this as are media outlets who first reported it as antisemitism.
I think this really undermines the police force and ignores the fact that they have intel regarding fans who are known to various authorities, in Israel as well, and are highly likely to become violent and cause mayhem. These fans are on social media inciting violence already with other fans, that’s how hooligans today organise their jollies.
Smileless2012
Keir Starmer should withdraw his condemnation of this decision and support it.
He seems so keen not to appear like Corbyn that he's looking silly.
Anniebach
Antisemitism is a very real prejudice and makes so many peoples lives extremely difficult and much fear
Er ... yes, I think most people know that, but it doesn't have anything to do with banning football fans.
Babs03
Keep insisting that this is antisemitism not only inflames the situation when there is no need but muddies the waters with regard to antisemitism making a mockery of what is a very real prejudice that makes so many peoples lives extremely difficult.
Call it what it is. Football hooliganism.
I agree with you. Calling this antisemitism really undermines what antisemitism actually is. The fans haven't been banned because they're Jewish or Israeli, but because they're thugs who have no qualms about provoking people, in the same way Polish fans and German Eintracht Frankfurt fans have been banned. Nobody wants people like that running round their streets.
Antisemitism is a very real prejudice and makes so many peoples lives extremely difficult and much fear
Keep insisting that this is antisemitism not only inflames the situation when there is no need but muddies the waters with regard to antisemitism making a mockery of what is a very real prejudice that makes so many peoples lives extremely difficult.
Call it what it is. Football hooliganism.
Keir Starmer should withdraw his condemnation of this decision and support it.
Maccabi fans brazenly celebrated the killing of children, chanted the most vile racist abuse and caused mayhem in Amsterdam. They participated in violent behaviour last night against a rival Tel Aviv club. Jews are not being banned. Racist hooligans are.
West Midlands Police and Brummies are now being bullied and smeared. Instead of calling out the dangerous anti-Arab and anti-Black racism of Maccabi fans and protecting the real victims, the thugs are being indulged. Because they are Israeli. Once more the double standards when it comes to Israel are on full display
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