Aston Villa, the Premier League club, has issued a stern warning to its supporters ahead of their upcoming Europa League tie with Maccabi Tel Aviv. The club has urged fans not to display political symbols or messages inside Villa Park during the match, as reported by BBC Sport.
The club's directive is in line with UEFA’s regulations. Any breach of these rules would lead to immediate ejection from the stadium and a subsequent ban. This move comes amid escalating tensions surrounding this particular fixture.
West Midlands Police have classified the fixture as “high risk”. In response to this classification, Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group announced last week that Maccabi fans would not be permitted to attend due to security concerns.
UK government intervention and Maccabi's response
Despite the UK government condemning this decision and offering additional funding for policing measures that would allow visiting supporters safe travel, Maccabi Tel Aviv declined their ticket allocation. The Israeli club cited a “toxic atmosphere” and fears over their fans’ safety as reasons behind their decision. Their statement highlighted how politicisation of the fixture had created an environment where safe attendance was "very much in doubt."
In light of these developments, Aston Villa has updated its ticketing policy for this match. Sales will now be restricted only to supporters who have prior purchase histories with the club. Additionally, reselling tickets is strictly prohibited under these new guidelines.
The away end at Villa Park will remain vacant during this match following confirmation from Aston Villa management. As sports fans eagerly anticipate this high-stakes Europa League fixture between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv next month, it is clear that off-field issues are casting a long shadow over proceedings. The clubs, authorities, and fans alike must navigate these complex circumstances to ensure the focus remains on the football.
