Key Highlights
- Maccabi Tel Aviv’s chief executive Jack Angelides expresses concern over the away fans’ ban for their Europa League match against Aston Villa.
- The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv’s supporters was made by the local Safety Advisory Group due to safety concerns raised by police.
- Pro-Palestinian organizations are planning a large protest outside Villa Park during the match, which is expected to involve up to 50,000 people.
- Villa Park will see significant security measures in place with over 700 police officers deployed for the match on Thursday.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Disappointment Over Fan Ban
Jack Angelides, the chief executive of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, voiced his disappointment over the decision to ban away fans from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa. The away supporters will not be allowed into Villa Park in Birmingham due to safety concerns raised by police.
A Political Undertone
Angelides emphasized that politics should remain separate from football, stating, “Politics should never be drawn into football.” He added that the ban has turned a sports event into a political issue and expressed concern over the perception of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. Angelides stated, “It’s incredibly sad and I think it’s a concerning and worrying sign.”
Security Concerns and Protests
The decision to ban away fans was made by the local Safety Advisory Group based on intelligence related to previous incidents of violence and hate crimes during matches involving Maccabi Tel Aviv. West Midlands Police highlighted concerns stemming from the 2024 Uefa Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam, which saw disorderly behavior.
Pro-Palestinian organizations are planning a significant protest outside Villa Park, aiming to attract up to 50,000 people. Nayeem Malik, chair of West Midlands Palestinian Solidarity, emphasized the campaign against Israel’s participation in international sports competitions and called for a boycott of all Israeli teams.
Security Measures
The match will see an intense security presence with over 700 police officers deployed to ensure safety. This includes specialized units such as horse-mounted police, dogs, and the force’s drone unit. Additionally, schools in the vicinity are closing early due to the event’s scale.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Resilience
Alex Angelides highlighted that Maccabi Tel Aviv has been accustomed to playing matches without a large travelling support for two years now. The club’s CEO added, “We’ve had to deal with this for two years, playing our home match abroad and often without fans because of the distance and location.” He expressed confidence in his players, saying, “No excuses, our players will be ready to play a football match.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s journey through the Europa League has been notable, being the only Israeli club to reach the league stage this season. The club faces a unique challenge as it continues to navigate political tensions while striving for success on the pitch.
