Removing Israeli teams from UEFA competitions/Boycotting the Maccabi TA game

[paul_e]

I don't know what has changed since the draw was made that would mean they should be kicked out now and not before. if anything the situation might be improving 9relatively). Either way if they are stopped from playing we lose money but take the 3 points through non fulfillment of the fixture (if it up to me).

The big thing was the UN report calling their actions genocide, that's been the trigger for loads of complaints, same with the ramp up in calls to block them from other events.

[Drummond]

I think Jon is right. However, there's always the chance that UEFA choose to do what FIFA won't just to try and prove a point.

[john2710]

I feel if Villa did cancel this tie from their end it's something we could look back on with pride. But they may not have to, it's a situation that is developing as we speak.

Absolutely.
No way our VP should play host to this team.
Why would you want to go down and watch us play this team?

I go to watch the Villa.
The opposition are an irrelevance.

But I can understand that some might feel differently.

[Martyn Smith]

Starmer opposing the ban on MTA fans on 6th, calling it...guess what...anti-semitic

Yep, it's nothing to do with the fact that MTA fans have openly praised the killing of Palestinian women and children. It's anti-semitism

I'm really starting to wonder if Starmer genuinely does see Palestinians as sub-human in the way that Israel does

[Percy McCarthy]

I think it’s probably for the best if we forfeit the game for the sake of the police, emergency workers and people of Birmingham.

[Ads]

Erm, no.

[Percy McCarthy]

Yes, let’s prioritise the freedom of travelling hooligans (notoriously so) from a foreign country over the safety and security of our Police, fans, and residents of Birmingham instead.

[Hillbilly]

Yes, let’s prioritise the freedom of travelling hooligans (notoriously so) from a foreign country over the safety and security of our Police, fans, and residents of Birmingham instead.

I think this is the thing. It's been framed as the WMP not being able to protect Jewish people who just want to watch the football. But the WMP's duty is to protect the whole community. Ultimately it's too much of a risk to the local community having these well-documented MTA bastards rocking up in Aston.

[Rigadon]

Such a weird season so far.  The decision was just being discussed on BBC world service. 

[bilsim]

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.

[Charlie8182]

As soon as this draw was made apart from 3 points I knew nothing good could come out of it and Villa can't win here either way (even though the away ban isn't the clubs decision) and even Villa fans are falling out with each other online on various Facebook groups usually depending on left or right wing political stances. Personally I went to the Bologna game and will go to the other ones, but boycotting this one although I'm not suggesting that I think other Villa fans should or shouldn't go.
Starmer or Bad-Enoch aren't reading the room, and appear pretty clueless to me as to the reasons why which is high risk whether we like it or not; not only would there be problems near to the ground with residents but in and around the City Centre.
I suppose we were being anti-Polish as well by keeping the Warsaw fans out of the stadium before the condiment battle started!

[Ads]

Yes, let’s prioritise the freedom of travelling hooligans (notoriously so) from a foreign country over the safety and security of our Police, fans, and residents of Birmingham instead.

Lets prioritise the Villa squashing no marks and WMP doing their job if they need to.

[NeilH]

Frankly, I am staggered at some of the reactions of the right-wing press back home, who don't even know the half of how bad it was in Amsterdam when Macabbi came to town. I remember at the time being engaged in how the UK press described it as poor fans being targeted by anti-semitic mobs, which was about as far from the truth on the ground as I have ever seen.
This was, without a shadow of doubt, the only sensible option for the safety of both our fans and Aston locals.

[wolfman999]

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.

[AV82EC]

Yes, let’s prioritise the freedom of travelling hooligans (notoriously so) from a foreign country over the safety and security of our Police, fans, and residents of Birmingham instead.

Lets prioritise the Villa squashing no marks and WMP doing their job if they need to.

I’d say it’s both. As most know on this site I’m of a reasonably liberal persuasion and like Ads don’t like banning stuff as some sort of knee jerk reaction but in this instance in view of the known security risk of MTA fans I think the correct decision has been made.

In addition I think there will still be protests from some pro Palestinian groups but I’m pretty sure that is something an increased plod presence can handle.

As long as the long dead hand of Westminster politics doesn’t intervene then let’s get on with it.