Senior Government ministers are holding urgent talks to overturn the ban on Israeli supporters attending next month’s Europa League clash between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Home Office officials will meet on Friday to explore what one minister called “a way through” the controversial decision, which has triggered widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum.
The move follows fierce criticism of Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group, which ruled that away fans would not be permitted at the November 6 fixture after West Midlands Police designated the match “high risk.”
Labour minister Ian Murray confirmed that the Government is seeking to reverse the ruling, describing it as “completely and utterly unacceptable.”
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Murray said: “The Prime Minister and the Government have been clear about that.
“In fact, pretty much every politician has been clear about that.
“It’s an operational issue for the police, but the Prime Minister has said we will do everything we possibly can to resolve it.”
Senior Government ministers are holding urgent talks to overturn the ban on Israeli supporters attending next month’s Europa League clash between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham
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He added that Ms Nandy would meet senior Home Office figures and other stakeholders “to try and see if there’s a way through this.”
Later, Mr Murray warned the decision sends “the wrong message” by implying that “you will be banned from going to public events if you’re of the wrong race, religion or creed.”
West Midlands Police said their decision was based on intelligence and previous violent clashes involving Israeli teams, citing riots during last year’s Europa League tie between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.
Israeli fans clashed with police during a match in the Netherlands last year | GETTYMore than 60 people were arrested and five were jailed following what officials described as “a toxic mix of antisemitism, hooliganism and anger over the Gaza war.”
Andrew Fox, honorary president of the Aston Villa Jewish Villans supporters’ group, rejected claims that the decision was purely about safety.
“There’s no evidence of Maccabi’s fans being particularly violent,” he fumed.
“They don’t have a track record in European football of being a violent fan group. This feels like a political message rather than a safety message.”
UEFA, which oversees the Europa League, has also urged UK authorities to ensure that Maccabi supporters are allowed to attend the game.
“UEFA wants fans to be able to travel and support their team in a safe, secure and welcoming environment,” the organisation said.
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“We encourage both teams and the competent authorities to agree on measures that allow this to happen.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the ban on Thursday night, writing on X: “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.”
Earlier in the day, Sir Keir had unveiled new measures to combat antisemitism during a visit to the Community Security Trust, which supports Jewish communities across Britain.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch echoed his criticism, calling the ban a “national disgrace” and questioning how “in modern Britain, Jewish fans can be prevented from entering a football stadium.”
Friday’s high-level meeting now represents the Government’s clearest attempt yet to intervene, amid mounting pressure from UEFA, community leaders and senior politicians to ensure that Israeli supporters are not excluded from one of the biggest fixtures of the Europa League group stage.