UK police consulting Israeli authorities over Tel Aviv derby disturbances

UK police are speaking to the Israeli authorities to understand what role, if any, Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters played in the disturbances which led to the cancellation of the Tel Aviv derby on Sunday.

Maccabi fans were last week barred from the Europa League tie against Aston Villa in Birmingham on November 6 by the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) amid safety concerns connected to the fixture.

Downing Street said on Friday that discussions were happening “at pace, across government” to overturn the ban on Maccabi fans, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying the decision to bar them was “wrong”.

On Sunday the Tel Aviv derby between Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off by police before kick-off.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Monday the Government “absolutely recognised” police concerns around previous incidents in Europe where Maccabi had played and also added: “We acknowledge events over the last few days and we condemn any violent behaviour.”

The spokesman added: “We understand the UK Football Policing Unit are reaching out to their Israeli counterparts to gain an understanding of what happened at last night’s match in Tel Aviv.

“But as we’ve said, we want to ensure that all fans can enjoy the Aston Villa game safely early next month.”

Maccabi have distanced themselves from the disturbances which led to the derby being called off. There were reports of smoke grenades and flares being thrown, but Maccabi insist their supporters did nothing to contribute to the game’s cancellation.

A club spokesperson told the PA news agency: “Maccabi Tel Aviv FC would like to clarify that the reason given for the cancellation of the derby match hosted yesterday by Hapoel Tel Aviv FC – unlike as reported by some (foreign) media – was as a result of flares thrown on to the pitch by fans of our opponent Hapoel Tel Aviv, not visiting fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv.”

West Midlands Police said last week they supported a decision by the local SAG to bar visiting fans from the Europa League tie against Villa, having classified the fixture as “high risk”.

They said the decision was “based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Amsterdam”.

The match at Villa Park takes place against the backdrop of ongoing tension in the Middle East.

The Fare network, which reports incidents of discrimination to UEFA from national team and European competition matches, told PA last week it was “reluctant to question” the decision to bar Maccabi fans and added that Maccabi fans were “well known for their racism”.

PA understands Fare has made multiple reports of discriminatory behaviour by Maccabi fans inside stadia to UEFA within the last 10 years.

Maccabi are aware of Fare’s comments but have not yet commented on them or on the decision of the authorities in Birmingham to bar their supporters.

A joint statement from the chairmen of the Israeli Football Association and the Israeli Professional Football Leagues said the cancellation of the Tel Aviv derby was due to the “criminal behaviour of a sickening handful of offenders”.

The statement added: “In recent years, we have made tremendous progress to avoid matches without fans, neutral-venue punishments and similar measures. We have enjoyed remarkable co-operation from the clubs and from the vast majority of outstanding supporters.

“The only element that was missing then – and was missing before and after the Tel Aviv derby – is a legislative change that is not in our hands – strict enforcement, deterrent punishment and a true eradication of the hooligan phenomenon that destroys everything beautiful about our game.”

Media reports in Israel said Tel Aviv police arrested five people on suspicion of disturbing public order and that 51 flares or smoke bombs had been thrown on to the pitch.