UK’s Starmer ‘angered’ over ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans, working to change decision

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is “angered” by the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a match at Birmingham’s Aston Villa and Downing Street is working to change the decision, a spokesperson tells UK media.

“Like everyone seeing this news, the PM has been angered by the decision,” the spokesperson says, according to Sky News. “We are working towards changing this decision, and we are working to support relevant partners.”

“It’s an operational decision for the police, but as everyone can see, the prime minister has been angered by this news,” the spokesperson says. “Ministers and local officials are working with police to try and amend this decision.”

The spokesperson says there will be a further update later today.

Downing Street also pushes back after independent MP Iqbal Mohamed called the Israeli fans “terrorists.”

“Thank you all who put the safety of Aston Villa fans, Birmingham residents and the British public above the Zionist and political pressure to let Israeli hooligans and terrorists run riot in our country,” wrote Mohamed yesterday.

When asked if the lawmaker was using acceptable language, the spokesperson says: “No, the prime minister has made his opinion very clear.”

Villa said the club had been informed by the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), responsible for issuing certificates for matches, that no away fans would be permitted at the Europa League match on November 6.

UEFA, which runs the Europa League, has called on the clubs and authorities to “agree on the implementation of appropriate measures necessary to allow” Maccabi fans to be able to attend.