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

[Jon Crofts]

Alistair Campbell also talking sense on 'The Rest is Politics' podcast.

Words you never thought you’d see.

[PeterWithe]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/oct/23/research-reveals-racist-chants-on-rise-in-israeli-football-with-maccabi-tel-aviv-the-worst-offenders

Racist chanting by Israeli football fans grew rapidly over the past year, data shows, with Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters the most likely to engage in discriminatory behaviour.

The research was conducted by Kick It Out Israel, which is funded by a civil society organisation, Givat Haviva, that works towards the “creation of a shared society for Jews and Arabs”. It found 367 instances of racist chanting at Israeli Premier League (IPL) matches in the 2024-25 season, a record total and an increase of 67% on the previous campaign.

Of those incidents 118 were observed in stands containing Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters and the most commonly recorded chant was “Let the IDF win, fuck the Arabs”, a slogan sung by Maccabi fans during unrest that preceded the club’s match against Ajax last season.

The figures add context to the decision by West Midlands police to ban Maccabi supporters from attending next month’s Europa League fixture with Aston Villa in Birmingham. The Guardian reported this week that the prospect of travelling Maccabi fans shouting “racist taunts” was among the key observations made in police intelligence and risk assessments.

The Kick It Out Israel report also observed 165 violent incidents at IPL matches last season. This includes thrown objects and pitch invasions. It was a 21% decline on the previous season.

Matan Segal, the director of Kick It Out Israel, said the 2024-25 season in Israeli football would “be remembered not for the football itself but for a series of troubling events that should concern every citizen in Israel”. He accused authorities of a “lack of enforcement against racism, violence and homophobia” and said there was an “absence of a serious and effective effort to combat these phenomena”.

Beitar Jerusalem fans were recorded as making the second-most racist chants, with 115, and next were Maccabi Netanya with 29 chants.

The Israel Football Association (IFA) said in a statement to the Guardian: “Racist comments are part of almost every league and a problem that world and European football is dealing with.” It said it had a three-pronged approach to addressing abuse, via education, information campaigns and “strict disciplinary punishment”. The IFA went on to say: “Racist comments from fans have no place on football fields and in general. In the face of manifestations of antisemitism and racist comments against Israel and Jews, we insist on proving that it is possible otherwise. It would be better if those who accuse Israeli football of racism looked at themselves first.”

A growth in racism at Israeli grounds is at odds with broader trends in Europe, according to Piara Powar, the executive director of the Fare network, which monitors racist activity at football matches across the continent. “In the European context, and indeed in a global environment, it’s difficult to say that discrimination is going up as a whole,” he said.

Fare estimates there are 3,000 incidents of discrimination in the top divisions across Europe every season. “There are peaks and troughs, different global, regional and national events that impact regions and countries differently,” Powar said. “What we do know is that discrimination in all of its forms has attached itself to football for a long time, and whilst there is much more awareness of its existence and its pernicious impact, it is difficult to see it going away any time soon. Particularly not in the cauldron of political division, far-right political mainstreaming and social media underregulation that we face.”

This week FairSquare, which advocates for the upholding of human rights in sport, wrote to Uefa arguing the IFA was in breach of Article 7 of Uefa’s statutes, which require member associations to “implement an effective policy aimed at eradicating racism and any other forms of discrimination”. FairSquare said the Kick It Out Israel report “provides clear grounds for Uefa to act and suspend the IFA”, an action Uefa had been expected to take last month before the announcement of plans for the current ceasefire in Gaza.

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Uefa did not respond to requests for comment on Kick It Out Israel’s findings.

[LeeB]

It's all coming out in the wash now, isn't it?

[AV82EC]

It is isn’t it. However, the news cycle has turned and it’s all Grooming gangs now, we are but a minor footnote in the 24 hr news channels race to the bottom.

One person who has been notable in their absence during this furore is the Mayor of the West Midlands. Has he come out of his bunker yet? Or did I miss his pronouncements and standing up for the citizens of the city region he represents and is supposed to be their voice.

[LeeB]

It is isn’t it. However, the news cycle has turned and it’s all Grooming gangs now, we are but a minor footnote in the 24 hr news channels race to the bottom.

One person who has been notable in their absence during this furore is the Mayor of the West Midlands. Has he come out of his bunker yet? Or did I miss his pronouncements and standing up for the citizens of the city region he represents and is supposed to be their voice.

I did think the same, had this been happened to one of the Manchester clubs you'd have seen and heard Andy Burnham everywhere.

[AV82EC]

It is isn’t it. However, the news cycle has turned and it’s all Grooming gangs now, we are but a minor footnote in the 24 hr news channels race to the bottom.

One person who has been notable in their absence during this furore is the Mayor of the West Midlands. Has he come out of his bunker yet? Or did I miss his pronouncements and standing up for the citizens of the city region he represents and is supposed to be their voice.

I did think the same, had this been happened to one of the Manchester clubs you'd have seen and heard Andy Burnham everywhere.

He probably, rightly or wrongly, thought it best to hide in his bunker. He won’t be the first or last politician to run for the hills at the first sign of the shit hitting the fan.

[paul_e]

I'd rather he say nothing than him jump on the bandwagon early like most politicians have.

[AV82EC]

I'd rather he say nothing than him jump on the bandwagon early like most politicians have.

I’m sorry but I completely disagree. He may have copped a load of flak he didn’t feel he deserved but it’s literally his job to be a voice for the West Midlands and stand up against national politicians decrying the name of this city. As Lee quite rightly says Burnham would have got stuck right in.

[Brend'Watkins]

I'd rather he say nothing than him jump on the bandwagon early like most politicians have.

Yes. Say nothing is the best policy. Let the rest of them carry on with their politicking.

[paul_e]

I'd rather he say nothing than him jump on the bandwagon early like most politicians have.

I’m sorry but I completely disagree. He may have copped a load of flak he didn’t feel he deserved but it’s literally his job to be a voice for the West Midlands and stand up against national politicians decrying the name of this city. As Lee quite rightly says Burnham would have got stuck right in.

I agree, my point is better he said nothing than him repeating the line of Starmer. I'd much rather he had come out early and backed the police though, which is what I think should've happened with all our local politicians.

[AV82EC]

I'd rather he say nothing than him jump on the bandwagon early like most politicians have.

I’m sorry but I completely disagree. He may have copped a load of flak he didn’t feel he deserved but it’s literally his job to be a voice for the West Midlands and stand up against national politicians decrying the name of this city. As Lee quite rightly says Burnham would have got stuck right in.

I agree, my point is better he said nothing than him repeating the line of Starmer. I'd much rather he had come out early and backed the police though, which is what I think should've happened with all our local politicians.

Agreed.

[Dave]

I'd rather he say nothing than him jump on the bandwagon early like most politicians have.

I’m sorry but I completely disagree. He may have copped a load of flak he didn’t feel he deserved but it’s literally his job to be a voice for the West Midlands and stand up against national politicians decrying the name of this city. As Lee quite rightly says Burnham would have got stuck right in.

Yeah, it would have been better if he'd done that.

But if he'd said anything, it would more likely have been following the party line rather than what he should / what we'd have wanted him to say.

So saying nothing is better than that.

[amfy]

A pro Palestinian demonstration asking for an Israel to be kicked out of the competition is planned for 6pm on the night of the match at The Holte End.

I think this could get very messy, as Villa fans themselves are very divided on this issue, so it's a heads up to anyone who wants to either join or avoid.

I know the overall feeling on H&V is pro Palestine, but also that no one wants any trouble, so I make no judgements either way about what people want to do with this.

The stuff about 'masking' for your own safety in this release does ramp it up as I feel it will add a threatening appearance to the demo. I see they ask demonstrators not to bring children or vulnerable people, but obviously there will be children and vulnerable people amongst our support.

Statement:

ALL OUT AGAINST MACCABI TEL AVIV FC!

📆 November 6th 2025
🕖 6pm
📍Holte End entrance on Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE

While we witnessed a brutal genocide against the Palestinian people for the last two years, the authorities of UEFA and FIFA have refused to acknowledge their role in the crimes committed by the zionist state. This is why instead of being sanctioned, israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv is being welcomed to play against Aston Villa right here in Birmingham on November 6th.

Now more than ever we must rise together in protest against the upcoming Aston Villa vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv match and make it clear that neither Maccabi Tel Aviv FC nor its deranged fans are welcome in our city!

For your safety, masking is advised and we ask to avoid bringing any children or vulnerable people to the demonstration, as a precaution.

[Drummond]

That's not a protest, that's more than that. And it's wrong.

I hope they get dealt with.

[PeterWithesShin]

Thankfully the authorities have no access to social media so won't have a clue what the plan is.