Since the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from their game with Aston Villa, there has been much debate online.
Some people have reacted strongly against the decision and even gone further, demanding that the communities in Birmingham linked to petitions and protests against the fans coming be deported. I’ve responded to that argument already here
Others have defended the decision. There seems to be some confusion between them about why it support it. For some, it is overtly to do with the belief that sanctions should be taken against Israel due to the Gaza war.
For others, it’s about crowd safety and policing. They point to the fact that Maccabi Tel Aviv have a history of football hooliganism and even this weekend their derby game was called off due to violence between their fans and rival fans.
It is worth noting however that the reasoning for the ban is not directly because of either of those things (though perhaps a connection to the first). What I mean is this. There has not been an agreed decision to sanction. Israeli football teams for their government’s actions. To some extent, the ban came about because protestors want sanctions in place. That is a different matter.
Whilst Maccabi Tel Aviv have a significant hooligan element, this is true of many teams, including historically English teams. Further, it seems clear that whilst their fans share responsibility for trouble at past games, to host responsibility is shared. For example, consider how one of the reports from the Amsterdam game is of Palestinian flags being ripped down. One might ask why those flags were hung up on the route in for the Tel Aviv fans in the first place. The reason for the decision is not the away supporters’ hooligan element. It is about a threat and perceived danger to fans in the context of incitement prior to the game.
The decision to ban away fans remains the wrong decision. The police here are experienced in crowd control. Other options exist to respond including moving the game or playing behind closed doors. It continues to look like Israeli fans have been treated differently to other fans.
Faithroots 