Maccabi Tel Aviv have confirmed they will not take up their away ticket allocation for next month’s Europa League clash against Aston Villa, with sources suggesting far-right activist Tommy Robinson’s involvement played a key role in the decision.
Aston Villa announced last week that no tickets would be sold to Maccabi fans for the match at Villa Park on November 6, following police advice that raised concerns over potential safety risks. The move prompted backlash from fans’ groups and accusations of antisemitism — but the situation escalated after Robinson’s public show of support for the Israeli side.
The right-wing campaigner, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, appeared at a Maccabi Tel Aviv event in Israel on Saturday night, attended by around 1,000 people. He later posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) wearing a Maccabi shirt alongside the caption:
“Who’s coming to support Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park on November 6th???”
The post sparked alarm among both club officials and law enforcement, who feared the match could become a flashpoint for political confrontation.
Security Concerns Escalate After Tommy Robinson Appearance
According to West Midlands Police, the fixture was already classified as “high risk” due to intelligence linking it to potential disorder. The force cited previous violent clashes and hate crime offences, notably during Maccabi’s Europa League tie against Ajax in Amsterdam in November 2024.
Sources told Jewish News that while Maccabi initially planned to contest the away fan ban, the situation changed after Tommy Robinson’s involvement.
“The risk posed by anti-Israel protesters was substantial, but we thought we had a plan to prevent them from prevailing,” the source said. “That changed with the intervention of Tommy Robinson. There was now also the danger our supporters could be falsely associated with his far-right activities.”
Officials reportedly feared that Robinson’s supporters could pose as Maccabi fans in Birmingham, heightening tensions and increasing the threat to genuine supporters.
Club Statement: ‘Safety of Our Fans Is Paramount’
In a formal statement released on Monday, Maccabi Tel Aviv said:
“It is clear that various entrenched groups seek to malign the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan base — most of whom have no connection to racism or hooliganism — and are exploiting isolated incidents for their own social and political ends. The well-being and safety of our fans is paramount.”
Government Expresses Disappointment
The UK Government voiced regret over the decision, calling it a “sad day” for football but acknowledging the club’s right to prioritise fan safety.
A Government spokesperson said:
“We are deeply saddened that Maccabi Tel Aviv have turned down their away fan allocation, but we respect their right to do so. It is completely unacceptable that this game has been weaponised to stoke violence and fear by those who seek to divide us. We will never tolerate antisemitism or extremism on our streets.”
The highly charged encounter will now go ahead without Maccabi fans in attendance, with increased security measures expected around Villa Park to prevent potential unrest.
