UK Government Saddened as Maccabi Tel Aviv Declines Europa League Away Tickets Over Safety Concerns

Maccabi Tel Aviv has decided to decline any away ticket allocation for their upcoming Europa League match at Aston Villa due to safety concerns following a ban on their supporters attending the game. This ban was imposed by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group after West Midlands Police assessed the fixture as high risk, citing previous violent incidents and hate crimes. The decision sparked widespread political criticism in the UK, including from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who described the exclusion of Jewish fans as unacceptable and indicative of antisemitism. Despite government efforts to overturn the ban and ensure fan safety, Maccabi stated that a "toxic atmosphere" fueled by hate-filled falsehoods made sending fans unsafe. The club emphasized its diverse team and fan base and condemned the exploitation of isolated incidents for political ends. Both the UK government and Maccabi expressed hope that future matches could be played in a safer, more inclusive environment.