Tommy Robinson’s decision to support banned Maccabi Tel Aviv fans by wearing one of their shirts was the ‘final straw’ for the club amid the ongoing Aston Villa anti-Semitism row, sources claim.
The Israeli team became fearful that even if police in Birmingham performed a U-turn and allowed away fans into Villa Park, Robinson’s supporters could emulate him and pose as Maccabi fans to stir up violence.
This caused the club to decided not to sell any tickets to their fans for next months Europa League game with Aston Villa – after international controversy was sparked by police banning Israeli fans from the game citing safety fears.
Far-right activist Robinson, who organised last month’s Unite the Kingdom rally attended by thousands, joined the furore on social media by posting a photograph of himself wearing a Maccabi Tel Aviv shirt and smiling. He also wrote: ‘Who’s coming to support Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park on November 6th?’
It has now been revealed that his post was the ‘final straw’ for the Israeli club, who were already fearing for the safety of their fans ahead of the fixture.
A source told Jewish News: ‘The risk posed by anti-Israel protesters was substantial, but we thought we had a plan to prevent them from prevailing. But that changed with the intervention of Tommy Robinson.
Maccabi Tel Aviv will not sell any tickets for their European match at Aston Villa next month
West Midlands Police advised Villa to ban Maccabi supporters from the game over safety fears
The intervention of far-right activist Tommy Robinson on social media was the ‘final straw’ for the Israeli club, who were already fearing for the safety of their fans ahead of the fixture
‘There was now also danger that our supporters could be falsely associated with his far-right activities, in front of anti-Israel protestors already out to get them.
‘With Robinson’s supporters potentially posing as Maccabi fans on the streets of Birmingham, we concluded that the risk had become unacceptable for innocent fans who just want to watch their team play.’
Having classified the match as a ‘high-risk fixture’, West Midlands Police expressed their concerns over fan violence and potential protests — fearing that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were in danger of anti-Semitic attacks.
Shortly after the club’s announcement, Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelled it the ‘wrong decision’ and supported the droves of angry fans voicing their fury online.
Starmer, criticising the decision, posted on X: ‘This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.’
Amid backlash from the Government, the Jewish community and throngs of angry supporters, West Midlands Police and Aston Villa had been under significant pressure to reverse their decision and find a way to heighten security for the fixture so that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans may attend.
Talks were ongoing with the Israeli club to restrict ticket sales to allow family supporters and UK-based fans to attend, excluding Maccabi ‘ultras’ to minimise risk.
Under UEFA rules, at least five per cent of the stadium should be for away fans. A spokesperson from the governing body said last week: ‘Local authorities remain responsible for decisions related to the safety and security of matches on their territory, determined on the basis of thorough risk assessments.’
Unai Emery’s side are scheduled to host the Israeli club in the Europa League on November 6
Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to social media to condemn the decision last Thursday night
Although the match is set to go ahead without any away fans, it is still being deemed a high risk fixture — with anti-Israel activists expected to be out in force on the streets surrounding Villa Park that night.
One security source told Jewish News: ‘It will show that this was never really about influx of Maccabi fans in the first place within the ranks of the Islamist activists.’
According to West Midlands Police, the decision to ban away supporters was made based on ‘previous incidents’, namely when Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were targeted by anti-Semitic attacks during the club’s Europa League match against Ajax in Amsterdam last year.
An astonishing 68 people were arrested after attacks were made on Israeli football supporters, prompting Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof to label the assaults ‘shocking and reprehensible’.
A spokesperson said last week: ‘West Midlands Police supports the decision to prohibit away supporters from attending.’
‘This decision is 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.
‘Based on our professional judgement, we believe this measure will help mitigate risks to public safety.
‘We remain steadfast in our support all affected communities, and reaffirm our zero-tolerance stance on hate crime in all its forms.’
Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were targeted by anti-Semitic attacks during their trip to Ajax last year
Dozens of arrests were made after attacks were made on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam
The Jewish Leadership Council labelled the decision ‘perverse’ in a furious statement online
About 30 per cent of Birmingham’s population is Muslim and the city has seen numerous demonstrations since the start of the Gaza war.
The decision to ban supporters has not only been blasted by Starmer — it has also infuriated members and allies of the Jewish community.
Israel’s minister for foreign affairs, Gideon Sa’ar, also took to X to condemn the move. ‘Shameful decision!’ he wrote. ‘I call on the UK authorities to reverse this cowardly decision!’
The Campaign Against Antisemitism added: ‘Another alarming sign of how British authorities are failing to ensure Jews can participate safely and equally in public life. What does that say about the state of policing and public order?’
Meanwhile, former Labour MP Lord Ian Austin, who is a season-ticket holder at Aston Villa and one of the Jewish community’s closest political allies, fumed: ‘I am appalled that West Midlands Police said that no away fans should be allowed to come to the match.
‘It looks like they have capitulated to a campaign by trouble-makers and abdicated their responsibility to ensure people can go about their lawful business safely.
‘Birmingham is a great international city. It welcomes visitors from all over the world and they must be able to come in safety.
‘International sport is one of our most important exports and this has major implications for fixtures in the future.
The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters was met with a furious backlash last week
Robinson organised last month’s Unite the Kingdom rally in London, attended by thousands
‘Birmingham is one of the venues for the European Championships in 2028 but the police’s decision must surely put that at risk if they are saying they can’t guarantee pubic safety.
‘The Chief Constable must review this immediately and I will be asking the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to ask him to do so.’
