Aston Villa has made the decision to restrict Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their Europa League match scheduled for next month. This move follows consultations with local police, who have expressed serious concerns about public safety outside the stadium. Authorities have labeled the event as “high risk,” prompting these preventive measures.
The football club emphasizes that they continue to engage with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities. Their primary objective is to ensure that both the fans who can attend and the neighborhood around the stadium remain safe during the event.
The match against Maccabi Tel Aviv is set for November 6 at Villa Park. This game marks their first away appearance in the Europa League following a match in Greece, where they faced protests during their game against PAOK.
Maccabi Tel Aviv fans have faced challenges before, particularly in Amsterdam last season during a match against Ajax. There, clashes occurred with local residents. Plans by UEFA to suspend Israeli teams from competitions were halted due to ongoing situations in Gaza.
The decision to prohibit away fans has led to divided opinions. The Jewish Leadership Council criticized the decision, arguing that safety concerns should not block Israeli fans from attending. Conversely, local MP Ayoub Khan backed the ban, citing the charged atmosphere around the match as justification for extreme measures.
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