On 6 November, Aston Villa are due to host Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park in Birmingham. We are calling on UEFA, the UK Culture Minister, and the club itself to urgently cancel this fixture or take immediate steps to ensure public safety and community harmony.

This is not a normal football match. It cannot be treated as business as usual.

Why action is needed

Ongoing genocide in Gaza: As Israel continues its assault on Gaza, killing thousands and devastating civilian infrastructure, sporting fixtures involving Israeli teams cannot be separated from the wider political context. Hosting such teams sends a message of normalisation and indifference to mass atrocities.

Track record of violence by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans: The club’s supporters have previously caused serious disruption and violence during matches abroad, including clashes and riots in Amsterdam. Their arrival in Aston - a diverse and predominantly Muslim community - poses a real risk of tensions within the community and disorder.

Wider European context: Across Europe, calls are growing to cut cultural and sporting ties with Israel. Ireland has even warned it will boycott Eurovision if Israel is allowed to participate. Sport cannot be an exception when human rights are at stake.

Our demands

We therefore call on the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to protect local communities and uphold ethical sporting standards by doing one of the following:
- Cancel the match entirely, or
- Relocate the match to a neutral third country, or
- Hold the match behind closed doors with no spectators.

At the very least, we call on the relevant authorities to ensure any Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters that have been seen chanting and causing disorder in Amsterdam are prevented from entering the UK and any that do not come are securely bussed in and out under strict coditions, without the chance to gather and roam in Birmingham.

Add your name to demand decisive action before it’s too late.

Signed by:
Ayoub Khan MP
Jeremy Corbyn MP