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

[Crown Hill]

We literally hosted an international 6 weeks ago. Only dribbling simpletons would question it.

That’s a non sequitur given nobody questioned being able to guarantee the public safety ahead of that.

So we can host internationals just fine. Like all the CL games last season and the England game 6 weeks ago.

But can’t guarantee public safety at European games! Anyway, hopefully this is academic when decision is reversed later!

[PeterWithesShin]

At 1 game that has far far more around it than the actual match. And it would be the same scenario wherever an Israeli side played in England at present.

[paul_e]

We literally hosted an international 6 weeks ago. Only dribbling simpletons would question it.

That’s a non sequitur given nobody questioned being able to guarantee the public safety ahead of that.

So we can host internationals just fine. Like all the CL games last season and the England game 6 weeks ago.

But can’t guarantee public safety at European games! Anyway, hopefully this is academic when decision is reversed later!

Well no, of course it isn't.

If this is overturned and then we do end up with violence that WILL show that there's a problem with protecting the public, something the police will have been hoping to avoid by banning the fans (and just to be clear this is because of their own antagonistic actions, not because we can't protect them). If there's no meaningful violence then great, the whole thing was worrying about nothing and we move on.

[PeterWithesShin]

If it is overturned then the odds of there being issues will be a fair bit higher than if we'd just let them attend in the first place as both sides, especially those with fuck all interest in the actual match, will stoke things up even more imo.

[brontebilly]

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.

Yes those poor maccabi fans are the real victims here.

[Martyn Smith]

I have a horrible feeling that this ban will be reversed, there will be huge trouble, and we'll be saying a big, sorry, I told you so

Meanwhile, removal vans have been seen outside No 10 as Keir Starmer today officially moves into Israel's pocket

[Martyn Smith]

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.

Yes those poor maccabi fans are the real victims here.

Israel is always the victim. Holocaust-flavoured emotional blackmail trading is one of the country's finest exports

80-90 years ago multi-millions of Jewish people were murdered by the Nazis. Therefore in 2025 the secular state of Israel can do wrong, and anyone who suggests it is doing wrong is a massive anti-semite. It logically follows and people should just accept it

[PaulWinch again]

Big learning from this around stakeholder engagement.

[PeterWithesShin]

We're currently the live news on the Beeb

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

[PeterWithesShin]

Despite the debate it triggers, the decision to stop Maccabi supporters from attending the football match in Birmingham isn’t the first time away fans have faced restrictions while travelling to games in Europe this season.

Regional police forces banning away fans at some matches - especially in France and Italy - has become more common in recent years.

Fans of Dutch club Ajax were prevented from attending their Uefa Champions League match against Marseille on 30 September. Ajax said the Marseille authorities had told them the ban was due to "public safety and security".

Napoli’s home game with Eintracht Frankfurt in the same competition, scheduled for 4 November, will also not have away fans, with the Naples police justifying the ban by citing "the high risks to public order and safety".

[Martyn Smith]

At 1 game that has far far more around it than the actual match. And it would be the same scenario wherever an Israeli side played in England at present.

I just don't get why Russian teams are banned for occupying another country's land, whilst Israeli teams aren't when their country does the same and worse

Can't be because Israel is a vassal state of The West and Russia isn't. Can it?

[amfy]

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]
 

[andyh]

It’s not just that though is it?
It’s the world contorting itself into the tightest knots to label anything Antisemitic and to prove how anti-antisemitic they are.

I must admit I’m starting to get very, very confused about who hates who nowadays.
You have ten names Robinson and violent right winger who is supposed to hate everyone who is not white Anglo Saxon, but invited to meet leaders in the Israeli government.
How does that work?

I recall the footage of The Proud Boys and others parading in the US chanting ‘Jews will not replace us’ yet these are the biggest supporters of Trump who has his head up Netanyahu’s arse.

It’s all very discombobulating.

[PeterWithesShin]

It wasn't the club's decision to ban away fans.

[andyh]

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]
 

Sorry to quote this lengthy post but how many time does it need to be said.

ITS NOT THE CLUBS DECISION TO BAN AWAY FANS.

For fucks sake.