Aston Villa vs Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv match held without away supporters due to security grounds.
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The Europa League match between Aston Villa and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv will proceed without away supporters. This decision follows serious public safety concerns.
The fixture between both teams is scheduled for November 7, 2025 at Villa Park in Birmingham.
"The club has maintained ongoing dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities throughout this process. The safety of spectators and local residents remains the overriding priority in all decisions," stated Aston Villa on Friday.
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The Safety Advisory Group, the authority issuing match safety certificates, informed Aston Villa that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters would not be permitted at the stadium.
According to The Athletic's report, West Midlands Police couldn't guarantee safety should potential protests or riots occur during the match.
A comprehensive risk assessment classified this fixture as a "high-risk" match.
"This decision is based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crimes during Maccabi Tel Aviv's 2024 Europa League match against Ajax in Amsterdam," a police spokesperson stated.
UEFA, European football's governing body, stated its desire for supporters to cheer for their teams "in a safe, secure, and welcoming environment."
However, UEFA emphasized that final security decisions rest with local authorities.
These concerns stem from November 2024, when hundreds of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were attacked by pro-Palestina fans in Amsterdam following their Europa League match against Ajax. The riots sparked debates about security at matches involving Israeli clubs.
The situation worsened with increased protests at international sporting events related to the Gaza conflict, including during Israel's recent World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Italy.
Similar incidents previously occurred directly at Villa Park. In 2023, 39 people were arrested following riots before Aston Villa's match against Legia Warsaw.
Given this background, authorities opted for preventative measures. The match will proceed without away fans to ensure a safe and controlled environment.
