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

[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.

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.

Not sure if you've misunderstood my point. I don't like the idea of a bunch of thugs coming to Aston and terrorising the locals, so I'm glad that WMP have made this decision.

Nothing to do with "no-go" areas or getting into semantics of what constitutes a "predominantly Muslim area"

[Hookeysmith]

Does no one think there would be "thugs" from both sides intent on trouble - surely it would not be just one side? You only have to see the violence caused by the pro Palestine marchers each week to see that they are hardly passive in their views.

If the Police can do a derby between us and the dogshitters then i am sure they could manage this if they wanted to.

I think it is being used as a political pawn rather than a genuine safety concern and for Starmer to use it by claiming its wrong on Antisemitism, then he is an even bigger cnut than everyone thinks he is - his party hate the jews almost as much as they do the working class.

And talk that Villa should foresake the points in a virtue signalling expression is madness in my mind.

[Monty]

Does no one think there would be "thugs" from both sides intent on trouble - surely it would not be just one side? You only have to see the violence caused by the pro Palestine marchers each week to see that they are hardly passive in their views.

If the Police can do a derby between us and the dogshitters then i am sure they could manage this if they wanted to.

I think it is being used as a political pawn rather than a genuine safety concern and for Starmer to use it by claiming its wrong on Antisemitism, then he is an even bigger cnut than everyone thinks he is - his party hate the jews almost as much as they do the working class.

And talk that Villa should foresake the points in a virtue signalling expression is madness in my mind.

I'm dumber for having read this.

[Dave]

There's definitely enough dumb in there to share around.

[AV82EC]

Roll eyes emoticon.

[Rudy65]

Does no one think there would be "thugs" from both sides intent on trouble - surely it would not be just one side? You only have to see the violence caused by the pro Palestine marchers each week to see that they are hardly passive in their views.

If the Police can do a derby between us and the dogshitters then i am sure they could manage this if they wanted to.

I think it is being used as a political pawn rather than a genuine safety concern and for Starmer to use it by claiming its wrong on Antisemitism, then he is an even bigger cnut than everyone thinks he is - his party hate the jews almost as much as they do the working class.

And talk that Villa should foresake the points in a virtue signalling expression is madness in my mind.

Agreed.

[Rudy65]

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.

You must be joking

[AV82EC]

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.

You must be joking

I think he was being sarcastic.

[TaxDodger]

From what I can see of their fans behaviour I don't think they deserve to be banned. They've clearly been involved in some incidents over the last few years, but I don't think they've done enough to merit their away fans being banned from attending matches. The Amsterdam events seem to be the main thing and it's clearly very debatable how much of the blame can be attributed to Tel Aviv fans in this. Some of their fans supporting Israel's actions in Palestine is absolutely not a reason for them to not be allowed away fans at matches.

Having said that, If WMP/safety groups say they there's too much of a risk to people's safety for their fans to attend then I'm willing to bow to their greater knowledge of the situation and concede it's probably the correct decision regardless of whether the fans actually deserve to be banned or not.

[PeterWithesShin]

I think it's more the potential of outside influences rather than just because of Maccabi fans. I'd assume WMP along with others are privy to a lot of intelligence that we aren't. Just look at the shite being spouted on both sides in the past 24 hours, from people with fuck all association to Villa or Maccabi. The lead up to the game would have stoked it even more if Maccabi fans were allowed.

[Chris Smith]

From WMP perspective it is a huge challenge in trying to police both the game and the inevitable demonstrations from both sides of the divide. If politicians get their way and force the game to be played then they have a responsibility to do everything it takes to ensure the safety of everyone involved - fans, businesses, local residents and police - and any failures should be attributed accordingly.

From my point of view I’m expecting a really dispiriting evening when I should be looking forward to an exciting game of football.

[Dante Lavelli]

I think it's more the potential of outside influences rather than just because of Maccabi fans. I'd assume WMP along with others are privy to a lot of intelligence that we aren't. Just look at the shite being spouted on both sides in the past 24 hours, from people with fuck all association to Villa or Maccabi. The lead up to the game would have stoked it even more if Maccabi fans were allowed.

Agreed PWS. and if it did kick off then Villa - the club, the fans - would take the full burden of the blame despite the obvious outside influences. 

[Luffbralion]

A very heated debate just now on the Nicky Campbell show.  Some of those opposed to the ban asserting it is another example of anti-semitism when the decision is actually about public order. We know, from the events in Amsterdam, that some MTV supporters can be provocative in their chants and violent in their actions. We also know that there would be many who abhor the actions of the Israeli state and wish to protest at the presence of an Israeli team at Villa Park. Some of them would seek to go beyond the boundaries of legitimate protest An incendiary combination.
I for one will feel much more comfortable at the match knowing that the ban on away fans has eliminated the prospect of mayhem.

[London Villan]

It’s more about the police not being able to predict or control the actions/threat from non-footballing sections of the community that would want to attack/harrass the macabi fans. Not a great look for Brum.

[AV82EC]

It’s more about the police not being able to predict or control the actions/threat from non-footballing sections of the community that would want to attack/harrass the macabi fans. Not a great look for Brum.

I'm sure you meant to say "and MTA fans provoking trouble and looking for reactions at all times".