Maccabi Tel Aviv Chief Urges to Keep Football and Politics Separate
Maccabi Tel Aviv CEO Jack Angelides has spoken out against the merging of football and politics after away fans were barred from attending Thursday's Europa League match against Aston Villa.
“Politics should never be drawn into football,” said Jack Angelides in an interview with BBC Sport.
He described the situation as “incredibly sad,” following a decision by the local Safety Advisory Group, which informed Aston Villa that travelling fans would not be permitted due to police safety concerns. The restriction triggered a political debate and wide public criticism.
Maccabi later confirmed that no fans would travel to Birmingham for safety reasons, emphasizing that the club wished to stay focused on football rather than politics.
“It became a political issue and we're not a pawn in a political game, we're a football club,” Angelides stated after the team landed in Birmingham.
He added that the purpose of the club is to play and manage football, not to be part of political struggles. Angelides expressed concern that misinformation and stereotypes were being spread about Maccabi Tel Aviv and its supporters.
“It has taken away the normal excitement and looking forward to playing a European match,” he said.
Background
The ban on away fans and concerns over protests led to a high-security response involving about 700 police officers for the Aston Villa vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv fixture.
Author’s Summary
The Maccabi Tel Aviv chief strongly opposes blending politics with football, lamenting bans and tensions that overshadow the spirit of the game and fan unity.