When Maccabi Tel Aviv were told their supporters would not be allowed to attend Thursday's Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham, the official explanation was clear: safety. Yet within hours, that local policing decision had become a global political storm.
According to West Midlands Police, the choice was made on advice from Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group after the fixture was deemed 'high-risk'. Officers cited intelligence suggesting potential clashes and difficulties ensuring the safety of Israeli fans, given 'the current security climate.' But the reaction to the ban has been anything but procedural.
