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No supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv will be allowed to attend next month's Europa League match against Aston Villa in England due to security concerns, the English club announced on Thursday. The decision comes after protests against Israel's World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Italy, where police used tear gas against protesters and pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Oslo and Udine.
Aston Villa said it made the decision following guidance from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which is responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches at Villa Park, based on several safety and physical factors.
"Following a meeting this afternoon, SAG has formally written to the club and UEFA to advise them that no away fans will be allowed into Villa Park for this match," Villa said in a statement.
"Police have advised SAG that there are concerns about public safety outside the stadium and the ability to manage any potential protests overnight," she said.
UEFA: Responsibility remains with local authorities
European football's governing body, UEFA, said it wants fans to be able to travel and support their team in a "safe, secure and welcoming environment".
"We encourage both teams and the competent authorities to agree on the implementation of appropriate measures that are necessary to allow this," UEFA said.
"In all cases, the competent local authorities remain responsible for decisions relating to the security of matches taking place on their territory, decisions which are based on detailed risk assessments, which vary from match to match and take into account the preceding circumstances," she said.
Villa are ranked third in the Europa League table, while Maccabi Tel Aviv are 30th after two rounds.
Israel calls Villa's decision "shameful"
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described Villa's announcement as a "shameful decision."
"I call on the UK authorities to reverse this cowardly decision," Saar wrote on X.
World football's governing body, FIFA, has faced repeated calls for action over the war in Gaza. Palestinian officials have called for Israel to be suspended from international football.
This issue has been under review by FIFA for several months now, but no decision has yet been made.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly said that such issues require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with care.
Earlier this month, FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani said that Israel's continued participation in international football should be addressed first by UEFA.
UEFA appeared set to hold an emergency vote on Israel's suspension from European competition last month, but reportedly postponed the vote after US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in the region was revealed.
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