Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: No Away Fan Allocation and Security Plans
Aston Villa will host Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park in Birmingham on Thursday in a Europa League match. The fixture attracted attention after it was confirmed there will be no ticket allocation for away supporters.
Reasons Behind No Away Fan Allocation
West Midlands Police (WMP), led by Chief Constable Craig Guildford, advised Birmingham’s safety advisory group (SAG) against approving an away fan allocation due to the match being classified as high-risk. UEFA, the governing body of European football and the competition organiser, supported this advice from local authorities.
Security and Planning Meetings
An emergency meeting was held on October 16 at 1:30 pm following a call on October 15. Participants included Villa’s head of security, Sye Roberts, Birmingham City Council, the SAG, and other key stakeholders to discuss safety arrangements.
Ticketing Controversy and Political Response
WMP requested on October 16 that Maccabi fans be blocked from purchasing tickets for the match. This decision sparked criticism from senior UK politicians and other groups. Subsequently, on October 20, Maccabi announced they would reject any ticket allocation even if the ban were lifted.
"WMP had requested that Maccabi fans be prevented from buying tickets to the match."
"The decision not to allow the Israeli club’s supporters to attend the game was announced on October 16."
Police and Security Measures
The police and local authorities are managing a high-security environment reflecting the risk assessment, ensuring safety for all attendees during the game.
Author’s summary: The match's high-risk status led to a ban on away fans, with police and local authorities prioritising safety amid strong political and fan reactions.