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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Nadeem Badshah

West Midlands police chief sorry for saying Jewish community supported Maccabi fan ban

Police officers outside Villa Park stadium
Hundreds of police patrolled the Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa on 6 November that drew pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protesters. Photograph: Lab Ky Mo/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

A senior police officer has apologised to Birmingham’s Jewish residents after he told MPs that some had expressed support for the exclusion of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending last month’s match against Aston Villa.

The decision to ban supporters of the Israeli team from the Europa League game at Villa Park in Birmingham had triggered political uproar, including Keir Starmer saying he was “angered by the decision”.

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