Starmer says 'wrong' decision to stop Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending Aston Villa match

Sir Keir Starmer has criticised a decision to stop Israeli football fans who support Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their side's Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham after police classified it as a "high risk" event.

West Midlands Police (WMP) said the decision not to allow away fans to attend the game next month was taken by a joint safety committee and was based partly on what happened in Amsterdam last year, when Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters attending a game against Ajax were caught up in attacks in the city. Responding to the announcement, the prime minister said: "This is the wrong decision.

"We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation." WMP said it had taken into account the "violent clashes and hate crime offences" that occurred in the Dutch capital when classifying the event as "high risk".

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition, criticised the decision, saying it was a "national disgrace". She has challenged Sir Keir to "guarantee that Jewish fans can walk into any football stadium in this country".

The Tory leader added: "If not, it sends a horrendous and shameful message: there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go." The Jewish Leadership Council, which works to protect British Jews, also slammed the decision. In a post on X, it said it was "perverse that away fans should be banned from a football match because West Midlands Police can't guarantee their safety".

It added: "Aston Villa should face the consequences of this decision and the match should be played behind closed doors." The Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was "another alarming sign of how British authorities are failing to ensure that Jews can participate safely and equally in public life". It added: "Instead of confronting the antisemitic hatred that has made it unsafe for Israeli fans to attend, the response is to exclude the victims." Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's foreign minister, said it was a "shameful decision" which should be reversed.

But Ayoub Khan, the independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, said he welcomed the news that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans would "not be permitted to watch the match at Aston Villa!" He added: "Well done to all those that signed our petition!" There had been "so much hostility and uncertainty around the match" that it was "only right to take drastic measures.