A Tory MP has dragged local authorities for "giving into the mob" after Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were banned from attending their upcoming Europa League clash with Aston Villa.
Speaking on GBN Breakfast with Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello, Louie French, who serves as the shadow minister for culture, media and sport, hit out at the Prime Minister, demanding that he should stop delivering "empty words".
"I agree completely with Kemi that this is a national disgrace that this has happened. We, as a country, should be welcoming international sports fans to our country to take part," the Conservative told Stephen and Ellie.
It emerged on Thursday that fans of Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv would be barred from their fixture against Aston Villa on November 6.
He hailed the British game for fostering a welcoming environment for international fans, insisting that it was a "key part of football".
The MP added that Aston Villa are "quite right" to distance themselves from the decision.
On Thursday night, Sir Keir Starmer condemned the decision to prevent the Israeli club's supporters from visiting Birmingham.
West Midlands Police remain steadfast in their decision, despite criticism from the Prime Minister.
"This is the wrong decision," Sir Keir said. "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."
The Prime Minister issued a short statement after West Midlands Police described the upcoming fixture as "high risk" following a "thorough assessment".
"The opinion of the Conservative Party last night, and continues to be this morning, is that the Prime Minister needs to stop wringing his hands, not just empty words," Mr French told the People's Channel.
"He needs to take action. He needs to get involved. He needs to have his Home Secretary urgently review this and seek to get this decision reversed in the international and national interest."
Mr French blamed the local authorities for 'giving into the mob'
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MACCABI TEL AVIV BAN - READ MORE:
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- 'This is wrong!' Keir Starmer blasts decision to ban Israeli fans from Aston Villa match
- Home Secretary now urged to SACK West Midlands Police chief for 'failing to protect Jews from mob' in Birmingham
On Thursday night, Kemi Badenoch said: "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 and guarantee that Jewish fans can walk into any football stadium in this country?
"If not, it sends a horrendous and shameful message: there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go."
Speaking with Mr French, Stephen interjected: "It seems a very odd state of affairs that basically the potential victims of a crime are the ones being excluded from something."
Cross-party consensus railing against the local move has ensued
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In agreement, the shadow minister concurred that "that's really the shocking element".
"It does feel like the local authorities involved have given into the mob and the local MP that has been very clearly whipping up this situation for a number of weeks to be somehow now trying to play the peacemaker.
"I think it's disgraceful. And I think most MPs have called that out overnight."
So far, cross-party consensus against the move came to light, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar labelling the fan ban a "shameful decision", calling on British authorities to "reverse this coward decision".
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called it a "serious mistake by West Midlands Police" as Nigel Farage said the ban "takes racial discrimination to a whole new level".