Maccabi Tel Aviv Chief Calls Fan Ban 'Sad' Amid Political Tensions

Thu Nov 06 2025 17:48:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Jack Angelides, CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv, expresses disappointment over the ban on traveling fans for their Europa League match against Aston Villa, attributing the decision to political issues rather than safety concerns.

In a recent statement, Maccabi Tel Aviv's CEO Jack Angelides conveyed his dismay over the absence of away fans for the club's Europa League match at Aston Villa, describing the issue as politically motivated rather than based on public safety. Police concerns led to the ban, sparking widespread backlash and parliamentary discussions. As the clash approaches, around 700 police will be deployed to manage potential protests linked to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, with calls for boycotts against Israeli teams in international arenas.

The chief executive of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv says it is incredibly sad away fans have been banned from his side's Europa League match at Aston Villa.

Jack Angelides told BBC Sport, Politics should never be drawn into football. The decision to bar traveling fans was made by the local Safety Advisory Group following concerns from the police, which stirred significant backlash, including parliamentary debate.

With Maccabi's supporters not traveling for safety reasons, Angelides lamented, It became a political issue and we're not a pawn in a political game, we're a football club. He also noted how these tensions have overshadowed the excitement usually tied to European matches.

The Israeli club's chief believes there’s a misunderstanding around Maccabi and its fans, which has contributed to the current climate. We've had to deal with this situation for two years, playing our home matches abroad and often without fans due to various issues, he added.

In the backdrop of recent violent incidents during a prior match involving Maccabi, the police's restrictive approach appears deeply rooted in safety concerns. West Midlands Police cited previous clashes and hate crimes linked to the club's matches in their stringent high-risk assessment.

As the match approaches, heightened security measures are being put in place, including the deployment of over 700 police officers in Birmingham to maintain order, especially in light of planned protests by pro-Palestinian organizations against the match. Angelides insists that the decision to decline ticket allocation for away fans was based on intelligence concerning safety risks.

The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict adds further complexity to the situation, with calls for boycotts against Israeli teams permeating public discourse. Protests are expected outside Villa Park, aiming to showcase opposition to Maccabi’s participation in international sports.

Despite these challenges, Angelides remains optimistic about his team’s readiness to compete: Our players will be ready to play a football match, he stated.