Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group has barred Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending the UEFA Europa League game at Villa Park on 6 November 2025 after West Midlands Police classified the fixture “high risk” based on current intelligence and past incidents, including large-scale disorder around Ajax–Maccabi in Amsterdam in 2024 with dozens of arrests. The decision has provoked national debate: Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “the wrong decision,” while ministers said they were seeking ways to ensure both safety and attendance for visiting fans.
Pressure for a rethink has grown. West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster urged an “immediate review” of the ban, and Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee formally demanded explanations from the force about why it cannot safely police the match with away fans present. Government figures, including Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, have engaged with the Home Office and local stakeholders to explore operational options, while UEFA has encouraged UK authorities to facilitate attendance under appropriate safety measures.
