Ex-FIFA official speaks out as Maccabi Tel Aviv fans blocked from Aston Villa clash in Europa League
Aston Villa are set to face Maccabi Tel Aviv without away fans in attendance.
Villa previously blocked Legia Warsaw fans’ entry in B6 as disruption in Witton created widespread problems for the West Midlands Police.
Local MP Ayoub Khan called for this to be replicated against Tel Aviv due to the fear of violence in the vicinity of Villa Park and Birmingham City Centre.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been left fuming after Villa confirmed that the decision had been made to bar fans of the Israeli side.
The footballing world and beyond have been left enraged by this choice as Villa face massive controversy ahead of their next home Europa League clash.
Keith Hackett reacts to Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv statement
It had looked as if Tel Aviv could be exiled from the Europa League earlier in the season.
UEFA officials voted in September on whether or not to ban Israel from its competitions, but opted to allow them to compete.
Questions have been raised in B6 over the safety of both home and away supporters due to the politics surrounding Israel and Palestine.
The Safety Advisory Group (SAG) has opted not to award Villa a certificate for the game, unless away fans aren’t allowed in due to safety concerns outside of the stadium bowl.
Former FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, believes football should be separate from these matters and is disappointed to see this action taken.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Hackett said: “I would like to see Politics completely removed from Football and other Sports.
“A pity that the Security officials at Aston Villa are unable to meet safety requirements and will not allow away fans to watch the game.
“Maccabi Tel Aviv are a long-established club, and their club officials will be disappointed with this decision.
“I have no doubt that UEFA will have been consulted before the announcement of a fans ban.
“The Prime Minister is a football fan, and denying fans the opportunity to watch their team is a major disappointment.
“Perhaps he might be able to arrange increased security to enable Aston Villa to change their current position.”
Aston Villa central to huge controversy vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
Villa have had no say in the matter of whether to allow away fans against Tel Aviv, but are still in the middle of rage-fuelled arguments.
Fan safety around Villa Park and in the city centre is of paramount importance, and it has been deemed that away fans could negatively impact these chances.
Any decision from SAG and local authorities was always going to cause controversy due to the situation surrounding Israel.
It is a shame that politics are impacting football, but a decision had to be made with the safety of matchgoers in mind.
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