"In a statement, Birmingham-based club Villa said they had been informed that local police had "public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night." West Midlands Police said they had classified the November 6 fixture as "high risk" following a "thorough assessment." "This decision is based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam," police said in a statement. In November 2024, that fixture in the Netherlands was marred by violent clashes linked to the crisis in the Middle East which left at least five people needing hospital treatment and resulted in over 60 arrests."
"Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said Israeli fans had been explicitly targeted by "antisemitic hit-and-run squads," while a court later heard of WhatsApp groups with hundreds of members calling for violence against Jews. On the other hand, videos also circulated showing Maccabi fans the most fanatical of whom are known to be on the extreme right of the political spectrum singing offensive songs about Gaza and Arabs, and pulling down Palestinian flags."
Local police and Aston Villa announced a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters for the November 6 Europa League match at Villa Park. West Midlands Police classified the fixture as high risk after a thorough assessment citing current intelligence and past incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences at the 2024 Ajax versus Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Amsterdam. The Amsterdam clashes left at least five people needing hospital treatment and led to more than 60 arrests. Authorities reported Israeli fans were targeted by "antisemitic hit-and-run squads," and courts heard of WhatsApp groups calling for violence. Videos also showed some Maccabi fans singing offensive songs about Gaza and Arabs and removing Palestinian flags. The ban comes amid heightened concerns about antisemitism in the UK following a deadly synagogue attack in Manchester.
Read at www.dw.com
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