Aston Villa have announced that no away supporters will be permitted to attend their Europa league game with Israeli team, Maccabi Tel Aviv on the 6th November. The reasons given are that this is the Safety Advisory Group’s decision following advice from the police that they were concerned about potential safety concerns and their ability to police protests on the night.
This is a shameful situation on two grounds.
- That there would be a danger to the safety of Jewish fans
This is a recognition that there are elements within our city who would seek to stir up hatred and insight violence against the Israeli supporters. This has to be recognised for what it is, intimidation and threat based on antisemitism. It is disturbing that it is at such a level in our city and the police response here will increase the fears of Jewish people living, working in and visiting Birmingham. It must also leave the visiting team with questions about safety and security for their staff and players.
- That the response is to penalise those who are the victims here
There is something particularly disturbing about situations where we identify a danger and then insist that the responsibility and implicitly the fault lies with the potential victims. They are being punished and it in effect means that the perpetrators get their way. Their intimidation has worked. Of course, this won’t be the only time that we see this played out. How often do we see women expected to police their own safety being told that certain places are not safe for them at certain times.
Surely the responsibility on the police is to ensure that fans can attend the game safely, going about their legitimate business. This means providing protection on the day and it means arresting those who are inciting and conspiring to cause violence.
The decision creates worrying implications and precedents for other situations. Havign said that, the Jewish community already probably feel like this is just too normal. They have been intimidated into having to hide their Jewish identity when out in public and to avoid certain areas due to protests each Saturday.
What should have happened?
If the police and club were not able to guarantee safety then that should have meant one of three options
- The game was played behind closed doors
- The game was moved to a neutral venue.
- Aston Villa forfeited the game and potentially their place in the competition.
I believe that if Aston Villa AFC are serious about standing up to antisemitism they will act to ensure that one of these options is taken up
Why I’m saying something
I write these comments as someone who is a football fan, who lives in Birmingham, in fact we are just about within walking distance of Villa Park and serve as an elder of a local church in the city. Being for the good of the city is not just about things like foodbanks and debt counselling, though those things matter. It’s also about things like how our city is perceived. So, when Robert Jenrick had deeply offensive and untrue things to say about Handsworth, I spoke up for a part of our city. It also means caring for the city, it’s values and ethos. I want Birmingham to be a city that cares about justice and goodness. That means that were we see injustice in the form of antisemitism, I believe it is right for local church leaders to speak up. There should be no place and no cover for this form of racism in our city.
Faithroots 