4 hours ago
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Police are on a double alert for pro-Israel protests and the prospect of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans securing tickets for their Europa League match at Aston Villa next month.
On Monday night, the Israeli side announced they would not accept any allocation for the November 6 fixture that has made headlines around the world, but there are fears they could buy tickets in the home section.
Their supporters were initially banned amid safety concerns raised by West Midlands Police. That move sparked a fierce backlash, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer branding the decision ‘wrong’ and adding that the country would ‘not tolerate anti-Semitism on our streets’.
West Midlands Police subsequently said they had classified the game as ‘high risk’ thanks to intelligence and a break out of violence when Maccabi Tel Aviv played against Ajax in Amsterdam.
However, the government, keen to see the decision reversed, had been in talks with all those involved and were attempting to help provide additional resources.
Despite the latest development, police will plan for the possibility that UK-based Israelis could buy tickets in home areas of Villa Park and that the match may be interrupted by protests.
Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were targeted by antisemitic attacks during their trip to Ajax last year
Tommy Robinson's decision to support banned Maccabi Tel Aviv fans by wearing one of their shirts was the 'final straw' for the club, who then decided not to sell any tickets to fans
Villa have already warned fans against displaying political symbols, messages or flags and have reminded supporters about not breaking UEFA rules. They have also said that only those who have bought tickets before this season will be able to buy a ticket.
Under normal circumstances, any unsold away allocation is handed back to the home club to sell, but Villa have said that they will not do so. The away section will, therefore, remain empty. Villa have also warned fans about reselling their tickets.
It is understood that Maccabi’s decision came amid concerns that supporters of far-right activist Tommy Robinson could infiltrate their following and attempt to hi-jack the situation.
A club statement read: ‘It is clear that various entrenched groups seek to malign the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan base, most of whom have no truck with racism or hooliganism of any kind, and are exploiting isolated incidents for their own social and political ends,’.
A club source later told Jewish News: ‘The risk posed by anti-Israel protesters was substantial, but we thought we had a plan to prevent them from prevailing. But that changed with the intervention of Tommy Robinson.
‘There was now also danger that our supporters could be falsely associated with his far-Right activities, in front of anti-Israel protesters already out to get them.
'With Robinson’s supporters potentially posing as Maccabi fans on the streets of Birmingham, we concluded that the risk had become unacceptable for innocent fans who just want to watch their team play.’
Robinson was at a rally in Tel Aviv over the weekend and on Friday posted a picture of himself wearing a club shirt on social media, along with the words: ‘Who's coming to support Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park on November 6th?'
