Outrage is growing in Britain following a decision by local police and safety officials to bar fans of Israeli soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their UEFA Europa Conference League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham next week.
The move, made by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG)—which includes local council and police representatives—was based on what officials described as a “high risk" of violence, informed by "current intelligence and previous incidents.”
The decision quickly drew criticism from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “the wrong decision,” while Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said it was a “national disgrace.”
Prominent British broadcaster Piers Morgan also condemned the move. “Ridiculous decision by the authorities, and moral cowardice by Villa,” Morgan wrote to his 8.9 million followers on X, formerly Twitter. “You should refuse to play the game unless this order is reversed.”
In response to the backlash, UK government ministers said they were working to reverse the ban. “No one should be stopped from watching a football game simply because of who they are,” a government spokesperson said in a statement Friday. “The government is working with policing and other partners to do everything in our power to ensure this game can safely go ahead, with all fans present. We are exploring what additional resources and support are required so all fans can attend.”
The ban comes amid heightened sensitivities surrounding Israeli teams and fans in Europe following the war in Gaza and a rise in security concerns across the continent.