Maccabi Tel Aviv Rejects Tickets for Supporters in Europa League Match

Oct 21, 2025
Sports

Photo: On March 7, 2024, supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv light flares in the stands of Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Greece. (Collected | Al Jazeera | Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters)

International Desk | PNN:

Israel’s football club Maccabi Tel Aviv has announced that it will not accept any tickets for its supporters for their upcoming Europa League match in the United Kingdom.Although local authorities had previously lifted a ban on fans, the club stated that it would not send supporters to the stadium.In a statement on Monday (October 20), Maccabi Tel Aviv said:"From the hard lessons of past incidents, we have realized that the safety and welfare of our fans come first."The club added, "We are working to eliminate racism among the extremist elements within our fan base."The statement also emphasized that the club’s main squad includes Muslim, Christian, and Jewish players, and their fan base crosses ethnic and religious divisions.

On Sunday, Israeli police suspended the match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv before kickoff, citing “risk of public disorder and violent riots.”This incident has sparked a new debate over the ban on Israeli supporters for the November 6 match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham, UK.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the ban a “wrong decision,” while Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described it as “shameful and cowardly.”The British government had stated that it wanted to override local authorities and allow Israeli supporters to enter the stadium.

However, following the cancellation by Israeli police, some British MPs questioned the legitimacy of such government intervention.Independent MP Ayub Khan wrote:"For those trying to make this a religious issue, the evidence is clear—these fans chose violence despite being in the world’s spotlight."

Meanwhile, Labour MP Richard Burgon said:"This incident proves the ban was justified. Ensuring the safety of Birmingham residents is paramount."

West Midlands Police categorized the match as “high risk”, citing previous incidents—particularly the Ajax vs. Maccabi match in Amsterdam in 2024, which involved clashes and hate crimes.

They stated, “In our professional assessment, this measure is necessary for public safety.”

Last year in Amsterdam, several pro-Palestinian supporters and Maccabi fans clashed, resulting in multiple arrests. Allegations included attacks on locals, destruction of Palestinian solidarity symbols, and racist and genocidal slogans.

Following a UN investigation accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, international law experts have urged UEFA to ban Israeli clubs from participation.

In October, more than 30 lawyers sent an open letter to UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, stating:

"In light of clear violations of international law and human rights, UEFA should not allow Israel to use sports as a tool for 'sports-washing'."

Thus, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s decision to reject supporter tickets is not merely a security issue—it also reflects the complex intersection of politics, human rights, and sports policy.