‘The wrong decision’: Keir Starmer 'working at pace' to resolve ban on Israeli fans attending Aston Villa match

Aston Villa confirmed on Thursday that no away fans from the Israeli side are to attend the European tie due to security fears.

Prior to the ban, many had raised concerns both about the previous behaviour of Maccabi fans, who have been involved in several incidents in recent years, and how the people of Birmingham would react to their arrival due to Israel’s assault on Gaza.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "Like everyone seeing this news, the PM has been angered by the decision.

Read more: Starmer slams Aston Villa for banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans 'over security threats'

"We are working towards changing this decision, and we are working to support relevant partners."

They added: "It's an operational decision for the police, but as everyone can see, the prime minister has been angered by this news.

"Ministers and local officials are working with police to try and amend this decision."

It comes as the Crime Commissioner called for a review into the ban on Israeli fans on Friday, with peer Lord Mann also speaking on the ban, telling LBC News: "It's an absurd decision and I am expecting and anticipating this decision will be changed."

"The police have cited intelligence that they have, there is no intelligence that exists that there are specific problems either from Maccabi Tel Aviv fans or Aston Villa fans, that intelligence doesn't exist," he explained.

"The intelligence that exists is in relation to people like that MP, who've been saying some very over the top things, trying to stop a football match taking place."

He added: "I've dealt with both clubs on this, not in the last few days, but over the last few months since this fixture was agreed, both with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa, they're both very well run clubs."

Speaking to LBC on Friday, Ian Murray, Minister for Digital Government and Data & MP for Edinburgh South, suggested the government could move to block the ban following crunch talks today.

"I think it's very much the wrong decision,I think the Prime Minister and most politicians have been very, very clear about that,” he said.

"We should not be, as a country, determining whether or not you can go to public events based on your race, religion or nationality and we're in a very dark space if we end up in that position."

He added: "There will be discussions with appropriate authorities, as I understand today, but again, the government cannot make decisions, operational decisions, on behalf of the police but we can make our views known.”

When asked about the ban, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told LBC it was an "extremely sad state of affairs" that Jewish people and Israelis in Britain “would feel in some way unsafe” at a football match.

Sir Keir hit out at the decision on Thursday - after the Israeli government told LBC it was an "extremely sad state of affairs".

Sir Keir wrote on X: "This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.

"The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation."

European football governing body UEFA has also had its say, promoting the principle of inclusivity for away supporters.

“UEFA wants fans to be able to travel and support their team in a safe, secure and welcoming environment, and encourages both teams and the competent authorities to agree on the implementation of appropriate measures necessary to allow this to happen,” a statement read.

Announcing the news, the club said it would continue to monitor the situation.

Villa said: “The club are in continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities throughout this ongoing process, with the safety of supporters attending the match and the safety of local residents at the forefront of any decision.”

West Midlands Police defended the decision in a statement on Thursday night.

They said: "Following a thorough assessment, we have classified the upcoming Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv fixture as high risk.

"We have actively engaged with a wide range of local partners and community representatives in preparation for this fixture, and continue to participate in the Safety Advisory Group.

"While the Safety Certificate is issued by Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police supports the decision to prohibit away supporters from attending.

"This decision is based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Amsterdam.”

The UK’s trade envoy to Israel & Aston Villa season ticket holder Lord Ian Austin called for the game to go ahead as normal and said it is up to police to make sure that can happen.

He told LBC: "But the worst thing… is the impact on the Jewish community, antisemitism running at record levels and what we've had here is, you know, in the end, people have been campaigning to boycott this game, to ban Israelis from taking part in football, that's really what this is about.

"It's an absolute disgrace, the Prime Minister's completely correct about this, and I think West Midlands Police have got to listen to him."