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

[PeterWithesShin]

I  suggest that H&V is certainly more left wing than the present Labour government.

So are Reform.

[andyh]

Its a pity that the behaviour of the Israeli fans isn't the problem... the ban is because WMP can't keep them safe from the baying mobs of local Muslim youth who are being whipped up by 'elders'..and the antifa mob.. but don't let that be the story on The Guardian left wing fanzine of H&V.

Where did this come from ?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

That Ronay column was genuinely bizarre.

Stopped reading him when he used to slag off Villa's Grealish before tugging away at England's Grealish. Probably the last person in the country not to recognise the lad's talent. Very much doubt he's ever been a football supporter.

[Monty]

Like Ronay's style, a lot at times, and I don't mind him having weirdo opinions as that is in the end the gig, and actually he writes very well about the commercial horrors that big global sport entails these days. But this column was very strange.

[Sexual Ealing]

Agreed on all points.

[LeeB]

Like Ronay's style, a lot at times, and I don't mind him having weirdo opinions as that is in the end the gig, and actually he writes very well about the commercial horrors that big global sport entails these days. But this column was very strange.

I know you guys that don't live here think were all being a bit mad, but it seems that a lot of progressive, right on figures seem to feel it's ok to chuck all that in the bin when it comes to Brum. It's a feeling that's been growing in me for a while, especially in the bloody Guardian.

[tomd2103]

A lot of Islamophobic people use the Jewish people as a cipher for their rampant racism.

I think this is a fair and likely accurate point. Things do change, but the old extremes of certain hooligans like Chelsea etc had signficant links with C18 and that, so I imagine these FLA marches are a bit more confusing for the older heads.

There's a lot of sideways talking though. Zionist is certainly a synonym for some and there's been holocaust trivialising on this thread alone which ought to make folks uncomfortable.

This issue is often the wink-wink vehicle.

I've always thought this explains it pretty well, albeit in a Northern Irish / Glaswegian setting:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o8JqKxrloQQ&pp=ygUFRmxlZ3M%3D

[Chris Harte]

Someone who has a ticket for the MTA game told me earlier that they've decided not to go.

With that in mind, is it worth having a poll to get an idea of Villa fans throughts on attending (I tried to start one but I couldn't see the option to do so I figured it out lol).

Options could be:

• Got a ticket, still going
• Got a ticket, might not now go
• Got a ticket, definitely not going
• Intend to get a ticket and go regardless
• Not going because of the kerfufle
• Not going, wasn't likely to go anyway

I have a ticket but between the local meatheads amongst the Islamic-preaching community, the stray Israelis who will make the journey and try to get tickets despite the ban, pro-Palestine protesters, Tommy Titt and his angry rent-a-mob and every window-licking meathead within a 100 mile radius, I'm not sure if I should now go, given that I have responsibilities and some things are more important.

[Clampy]

Being debated via an urgent question in the commons now.

[Sexual Ealing]

That'll help.

[robleflaneur]

Nandy,in the HoC,stating her concerns about the rise in anti semitism and the safety of the Maccabi fans.
The safety of the residents of Aston and Birmingham and of any Villa fans doesn't seem to matter.

[PeterWithesShin]

Its a pity that the behaviour of the Israeli fans isn't the problem... the ban is because WMP can't keep them safe from the baying mobs of local Muslim youth who are being whipped up by 'elders'..and the antifa mob.. but don't let that be the story on The Guardian left wing fanzine of H&V.

Where did this come from ?

A comment on the H&V Facebook page.

[Sexual Ealing]

Nandy,in the HoC,stating her concerns about the rise in anti semitism and the safety of the Maccabi fans.
The safety of the residents of Aston and Birmingham and of any Villa fans doesn't seem to matter.

Indeed. For a group that's apparently been left behind and ignored, I hear anawful lot about the 'white working class'. I'm yet to hear even a hint of any concern for any other members of the working class.

[Percy McCarthy]

I’ll go if they’re banned, but I won’t be taking my kids even if they are. Tiny Tommy and his racist thugs will probably be there, and maybe some stray racist thugs from Israel. My kids are not white so very sadly Villa Park will be a dangerous place for them and I’m a responsible parent.

[Louzie0]

Lisa Nandy emphasised that the original decision was to ban all MTA fans, including what she described as the majority who would be British fans of the team, as distinct from the thugs ( not her word)  exported from Tel Aviv, who were once again involved in rioting at their own match which was abandoned, last night. This was mentioned in the debate, as was their dreadful record.

Ian Duncan Smith mentioned that MTA managed to attend a game in Istanbul with no trouble. Another MP (missed his name) pointed out that the match was banned in Turkey, was actually played in Hungary and behind closed doors, hence no trouble!

It’s clear that the government wants all fans to be able to attend. She stated their determination to support the WM police ( fending off a call for the CS’s resignation by Reform, helpful as always) in making it possible for the game to go ahead with both sets of fans in attendance.

There were some pertinent questions and comments which recognised that identifying British Jewish fans of MTA and other clubs with being responsible for the actions of what Zarah Sultana called the apartheid Israeli government in Gaza was antisemitic and that the residents of Aston and the wider community of Birmingham had a right to feel safe. This would not be likely with a bunch of ‘fans’ marching along, singing about killing Palestinian children, as Ms Nandy agreed.

However, several MPs made clear interventions about the safety of Muslim local residents and then sat back and chatted or yelled during her answer. This behaviour was no help at all, my opinion, and undermined their position, which was strong to begin with. It’s already a charged issue and the idea is to make it safe for everyone, not just specific groups of fans.

Quite what this means on the day, especially the arrangements for meeting and travelling to VP for the Israeli contingent specifically, is not yet clear but it seems there is an absolute determination to make the match open to all and to make it work for everyone, including the residents of Aston.

Our club came off OK despite a Tory London creep who attempted to argue that Chelsea does these things better and that they’d have no problem in the same situation.