Fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv have been officially banned from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa on November 6, a decision rooted in significant public safety concerns. West Midlands police declared the fixture as “high risk,” citing “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.” Police officials believe this measure will “help mitigate risks to public safety” and reiterated their “zero-tolerance stance on hate crime in all its forms,” while also affirming support for all affected communities. Aston Villa confirmed that the local Safety Advisory Group had instructed the club that “no away fans will be permitted.” The club emphasized its continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and local authorities, with the safety of supporters and local residents being paramount in any decision.

The classification of the Aston Villa fixture as