Energy secretary calls for lifting of police ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters at upcoming Europa League fixture
Aston Villa’s football ground cannot be a “no-go area” for Jews, Ed Miliband has said as he reiterated calls for a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans to be lifted.
The energy secretary said ministers were working to ensure supporters of the Israeli club could attend the Europa League fixture at Villa Park on 6 November.
Birmingham’s safety advisory group is meeting next week and is expected to produce proposals about the extra resources West Midlands police would need to allow the match to go ahead safely with away fans.
The force last week barred Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from the match because of concerns that officers would not be able to police it safely. They cited “violent clashes and hate crime offences” at a Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Amsterdam in 2024.
