LONDON: British right-wing activist Tommy Robinson has hinted he will attend Aston Villa’s Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv next month, after it was announced Israeli fans were to be banned from traveling to Birmingham.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, encouraged his followers to “support Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park” on Nov. 6, sharing a photo of himself in the Israeli club’s shirt while visiting Tel Aviv on a state-sponsored trip.
West Midlands Police and Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group announced this week they had barred away supporters from attending the game, citing fears of violent clashes in an area where around 30 percent of residents are Muslim.
The decision has drawn criticism from the government and campaigners, who have threatened legal action to overturn the ban.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood have both called for the ruling to be reviewed.
