Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Barred Amid Safety Concerns: Europa League Drama Unfolds

Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv has announced it will not accept any allocation of away fan tickets for their upcoming Europa League clash with Aston Villa. This decision stands even if local authorities overturn the current ban on their supporters, a stance reiterated by the club on Monday.

British Police had earlier raised safety concerns, highlighting potential demonstrations outside Villa Park, as seen during Israel's recent World Cup qualifiers in Oslo and Udine. "Past experiences have taught us harsh lessons, prompting our choice to decline any offers made on behalf of away fans. Our perspective should be seen within this context," read an official Maccabi statement.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa had echoed this sentiment last week, following guidance from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which is responsible for safety certifications at Villa Park events. West Midlands Police declared the match as high-risk, with previous hostile incidents in Amsterdam factoring into their assessment. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the decision, labeling it "shameful." Currently, Villa holds third place while Maccabi ranks 30th in the Europa League standings, post-two rounds.