Sport|FootballUK police under pressure to end ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv football fansFans of the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv have been barred from attending a Europa League game at Aston Villa.

Authorities in Birmingham have imposed a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans attending the Europa League match against Aston Villa scheduled for Mon, Nov 6, 2025, due to security concerns. This decision has prompted calls for reversal from various political figures and organizations.

West Midlands Police has classified the match as high risk based on current intelligence and previous incidents involving Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. The club previously experienced violence during a match in Amsterdam last season.

Aston Villa has been informed of public safety concerns outside the stadium, with potential protests expected on the night of the game. Such bans on fans are rare in European football and usually depend on a history of violence between rival clubs. There is no known history of violence between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.

UEFA has responded by urging British authorities to facilitate attendance for Maccabi fans. The organization emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment for all supporters and encourages the implementation of measures to allow fans to attend the match.

The game at Villa Park marks Maccabi’s first away match in the Europa League since recent protests in Thessaloniki, Greece, when they played against PAOK. UEFA had considered suspending Israeli teams from its competitions prior to recent developments in Gaza.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.