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Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv announced on Monday that they will not accept tickets for away fans at their Europa League fixture against Aston Villa next month, regardless of whether local authorities lift the ban on their supporters.
The restriction was due to safety concerns flagged by British Police, who pointed to the possibility of protests outside Villa Park following disturbances at Israel’s recent World Cup qualifiers in Oslo, Norway, and Udine, Italy.
“Aston Villa can confirm the club has been informed that no away fans may attend the UEFA Europa League match with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, November 6, following an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG),” Aston Villa said in its statement last week.
West Midlands Police categorised the match as high risk, referencing prior incidents, including violent clashes between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of a matchup in Amsterdam in November 2024.
Israeli fans at away games in Europe have increasingly caused issues, particularly since the onset of Israel’s actions in Gaza, attributed to their aggressive behaviour and sense of entitlement.
This decision followed incidents a year earlier where Maccabi Tel Aviv fans instigated violence in the city during a match against Ajax Amsterdam, where they targeted Palestinian flags displayed on private property.
Widespread social media videos have shown Maccabi fans vandalising private property, attacking a local taxi driver, and confronting law enforcement officials.
Other reports indicated that Israeli hooligans were heard chanting: “Let the IDF (Israeli army) f*** Arabs” and “There are no schools in Gaza because there are no children left.”
Israel is under scrutiny for its actions in Gaza, with virtually every match the team plays accompanied by protests.
During their 5-0 defeat to Israel in the 2026 World Cup qualifier on October 11, Norwegian fans transformed Ullevaal Stadium into a display of Palestinian flags.
On October 15, approximately 10,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested against the World Cup qualifier match involving Israel. In response, police violently deployed water cannons and tear gas.
