The combined Maccabi thread - now with are you going? poll

[HolteL4]

I can't blame WMP for this decision at all. Having a bunch of MTV thugs arrive in Aston, a predominantly Muslim area, would be needlessly high risk. I shan't be going.

Because there happen to be a number of Muslims living in the area does not make it a 'muslim area'. We live in a free country where any citizen, of any religion or none, should be free to go. There should not be any 'no go areas' dominated by ANY group.

Read it again will you, He didn't say it was a Muslim Area, he said it was a Predominantly Muslim Area which Aston is

[Martyn Smith]

I don’t think that Villa cancelling the fixture is actually practical on any number of levels, but I am sharing a draft letter which my friend who is involved in Palestine Solidarity shared with me to show the feeling in local communities.

It is a shame that the club have been put in this position by footballing Authorities that have been prepared to act against Russia but not Israel.

I do fear flashpoints in Aston regardless of an away fan ban on the night. I wouldn’t have been intending to go in any case, but if I had been, I would be having serious doubts.

————————————————-

The Board of Directors
Aston Villa Football Club
Villa Park
Trinity Road
Birmingham
B6 6HE

**Subject: Urgent Request to Cancel the Europa League Match vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv on 6 November**

Dear Aston Villa Management,

We are writing to you as a resident of Birmingham and lifelong supporters and members of the Aston Villa family to urgently request that the club cancel its upcoming Europa League fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv, scheduled for November 6th at Villa Park.

We welcome the club’s decision to ban away supporters given their notorious anti-Arab racism but feel we still need to go further as a club and cancel the fixture completely.

Our request to cancel the team’s match at Aston Villa grounds in the city is made with a heavy heart, out of deep concern for the profound human suffering occurring in Gaza. Our local community in Birmingham includes many who have friends and family directly impacted by the ongoing bombing and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The immense loss of life, including over 64,000 Palestinians killed, the destruction of homes and hospitals, and the famine conditions confirmed by humanitarian organizations, creates a context that transcends sport.

We believe that at this time, proceeding with a match representing the state of Israel would be deeply painful for these community members and would run counter to the values of solidarity and compassion we hold dear.

Playing this match under these circumstances’ risks causing significant distress within our own community and could overshadow the event with protests, diverting attention from football and undermining the unity that is the lifeblood of our club and our city.

A panel of UN advisers has called for FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel.

We urge you to take a proactive and ethical stand by cancelling the fixture. Such a decision would send a powerful message that Aston Villa listens to its community and stands on the side of humanity during a time of immense crisis.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address, to confirm you are a constituent]
[Your Supporter Number, if applicable]
 

A thing of utter beauty. To whoever wrote that, thank you

[cdbearsfan]

I'm sympathetic to the views but it isn't the club making the decision, and the club risks being made to appear twats either way if they are seen to be involved in influencing the decision.

Would be better off pressuring local and national politicians.

[andyh]

A national police unit that advises on security at football matches has backed the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from next month's match in Birmingham.

The UK Football Policing Unit, which is made up of senior officers, gives advice to police forces in England and Wales.

In a statement, the unit says it briefed the Home Office last week about the potential issues authorities might face, including restrictions on visiting fans.

"It is important that we respect and support the structures in place for making these decisions," the statement reads.

"If there are any adverse incidents, then [the Safety Advisory Group and Sports Ground Safety Authority] are the ones that will be held responsible."

What is the context here please ?
Where has this been reported/published and when ?

Thanks

[Martyn Smith]

I can't blame WMP for this decision at all. Having a bunch of MTV thugs arrive in Aston, a predominantly Muslim area, would be needlessly high risk. I shan't be going.

Because there happen to be a number of Muslims living in the area does not make it a 'muslim area'. We live in a free country where any citizen, of any religion or none, should be free to go. There should not be any 'no go areas' dominated by ANY group.

Read it again will you, He didn't say it was a Muslim Area, he said it was a Predominantly Muslim Area which Aston is

If these were peaceful times then yes, of course, people should be allowed to go wherever they wish

In fact, Jewish people, from Israel or otherwise, are not at any point being banned from visting the B6 postcode area. And nor should they be

This is about banning attendance of certain known troublemakers at an event that is strongly predicted to feature flashpoints. As has been said before, fans of other clubs have been banned recently for the same reasons

This is all about Starmer and co being too weak to stand up to Israeli and Zionist pressure

[PeterWithesShin]

A national police unit that advises on security at football matches has backed the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from next month's match in Birmingham.

The UK Football Policing Unit, which is made up of senior officers, gives advice to police forces in England and Wales.

In a statement, the unit says it briefed the Home Office last week about the potential issues authorities might face, including restrictions on visiting fans.

"It is important that we respect and support the structures in place for making these decisions," the statement reads.

"If there are any adverse incidents, then [the Safety Advisory Group and Sports Ground Safety Authority] are the ones that will be held responsible."

What is the context here please ?
Where has this been reported/published and when ?

Thanks

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cx204j7x4pqt

[PeterWithesShin]

Beeb

We've just received a statement from Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group, which has decided to ban Maccabi fans from attending next month's match at Villa Park.

The group says it will review its decision if West Midlands Police changes its risk assessment for the match.

Here's the statement in full:

"The Safety Advisory Group has made a decision based on a risk assessment provided by West Midlands Police.

"If there is a change in the assessment of risk in the forthcoming match between Aston Villa Football Club and Maccabi Tel Aviv, then the Safety Advisory Group will commit to review its decision as appropriate."

[Martyn Smith]

I'm sympathetic to the views but it isn't the club making the decision, and the club risks being made to appear twats either way if they are seen to be involved in influencing the decision.

Would be better off pressuring local and national politicians.

No, ok, it isn't the club making the decision. However, it would be the club's decision to forfeit the match if the ban is reversed and render the whole thing academic. And I would be proud of them if they did that. In comparison to the ongoing terror that Israel is inflicting on its neighbours, the Europa League is a bit of fluff that can get tae fuck

[PeterWithesShin]

Bollocks to forfeiting.

[cdbearsfan]

I think the vast majority of people would think it was very dumb to forfeit the match. Sorry, Martyn. It only helps Maccabi.

[andyh]

I wonder what intelligence will come to light that means a decision made yesterday on the grounds of public safety is no longer a concern.

[PeterWithesShin]

This little bundle of love and inclusivity has spoken. There's also a video but bollocks to watching it

Katie Hopkins @KTHopkins

Things are speeding up fast in the U.K.

I have long known about @WMPolice …

The U.K. has banned Jews from attending football  … what next? Public transport?

[rob_bridge]

I wonder what intelligence will come to light that means a decision made yesterday on the grounds of public safety is no longer a concern.

Which is of course the most important piece to add to this context. The decision to ban on safety grounds.

I don't think their fans should be banned unless the intelligence relates directly to them and not other 'locals' who object to their presence.

A bit like Palestinian Action being banned - I'd hope once the airbase defacing trial is out of the way they can publish the justification for them being 'terrorists' because so far I have only seen criminal damage which not remotely enough to label them as such.

[Somniloquism]

Just remember that last week the Home Office were urging the Police to say would struggle to maintain safety at Palestinian protests as an excuse to stop them from happening. The Police stating they will struggle to maintain safety here seems to be a bad decision now.

[TaxDodger]

Obviously Villa aren't going to forfeit the game and it would be utterly, utterly ridiculous if they did.