Aston Villa warns fans against showing political messages at Maccabi Tel Aviv game

Aston Villa, the English soccer team, urges supporters not to display political symbols, messages or flags during next month’s Europa League home game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The match sparked controversy after security officials in Villa’s home city of Birmingham last week blocked visiting fans from attending the November 6 match following a police risk assessment.

The decision drew criticism, including from Israeli officials and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with widespread calls for the ruling to be reversed.

The UK government said it was “working around the clock” to ensure fans from both clubs could attend, but Maccabi announced Monday that it would decline any tickets for the match.

Today, Villa warns fans against contravening protocols issued by UEFA, the governing body of European football, banning the display of political messages inside stadiums.

“As per UEFA guidance, the displaying of political symbols, messages or flags during the match is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate ejection and the issuing of a stadium ban,” the club says in a statement.

The Premier League club adds that it will not be selling tickets for the seats where Maccabi fans would have sat, and has warned supporters against reselling their tickets.

This week, the UK government had been expecting police to set out their needs to oversee the game with both sets of supporters present. But Maccabi said late Monday it would not accept any tickets for the match.

Starmer’s spokesman says the government was still talking to police about putting extra resources in place for the match so both sets of fans could attend.

Birmingham has been the scene of pro-Palestinian rallies since the Gaza war began in 2023 after the Hamas-led attack on Israel.