The derby games and, also, Luton had a total ban on away fans ... ... that was for the safety of home fans and the general public. There was no religious or political aspect. At the Sunderland game there we ended up sitting next to Steve Cram but we all had to keep quiet.
There's no argument. I'm not having this! It's a football match where the Police are engaged to ensure things go as smoothly as possible....as they would for any other football match in Birmingham. If a collection of Palestinian Arabs, and their sympathisers, want to try to disrupt this match for their political ends,the Police have to deal with them,in the same way they would with any other fan disruption.....it isn't like they don't have any experience. The away fans have as much right to attend this match,within their ticket limits,safely and securely,as much as any other match.
Exactly. Agree with every word. This has been banned because Muslims are outraged that Jewish people are going to rock up in their city. It’s outrageous. When Jewish people issue their concerns about the demonstrations in London, they’re ignored. The left wing have got us halfway to 1930’s Germany. Soon they’ll be demanding ghettos for them damn Jews.
I didn't know much about all this so didn't say a lot. But, as it's obvious this will escalate, I've had a look at why this has developed. Firstly, I disagree with the ban and believe away fans should usually be able to go to any game. I've no problem with Jews, in everyday life, but looking at the way this club presents itself as totally Jewish isn't constructive in my opinion. It appears Maccabi is actually a Jewish phrase similar to 'From the River to the Sea' and also the name of traditional Jewish warriors. The Star of David is on their shirts which may not be unique but I do wonder what the 200,000 Christians, in Israel, think of it. And from a quick check, 'UEFA, The rules ban any political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images on shirts or other equipment.' As Israel has just 'won' their conflict perhaps it would be a good time to calm things down a bit, just my opinion ... ... they must be aware that feelings are running high after such a conflict with so many civilian casualties no matter how justified they believe it was.
So if it’s time to calm things down, why not ban the Saturday protests that have been allowed to continue after the war has finished? There’s just no way around this. Jews are being treated differently just because they’re Jews.
The rules ban any political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images on shirts or other equipment.' We do it every November in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday with the poppy on the shirts, during the holocaust the Star of David was a badge of shame, it’s now seen as badge of honour & pride, they wore it before October 7th and it wasn’t seen as an issue. The big issue here is Birmingham has a large Muslim population with Muslim mps who don’t want Jews in their city. It’s wrong mate, would this have happened if they were playing the Mags or Aberdeen or some other club ? It smacks of antisemitism and it’s got to be called out for what it is.
I may be wrong but I don't believe English clubs have poppies on their shirts when playing abroad. I'd guess the symbol would be banned in the belief that fans of Celtic, Irish teams or whatever would react badly. I just don't think it helps any football club to have religious icons on their shirts.
Fair enough, we have players making the sign of the cross as they enter the field of play and bowing to Allah when they score and so on. It’s everywhere in football. The players will always show their faith, wasn’t that long ago that Celtic & Rangers wouldn’t have catholics or Protestant’s playing for each other, a sad state of affairs but they moved on. A city as big as Birmingham not allowing an entire support into the city in this day and age is a massive backwards step especially on the back of a peace deal.
I totally agree with what you're saying and I believe Starmer will be putting pressure on to allow away fans. I also believe this club, and Israel, need to just calm things down and take the lead. I think it would help if they appeared conciliatory and a little more gracious in victory ... ... someone has to give a little in my opinion, otherwise things will just carry on getting worse.
Getting this right is really difficult. Would I want a set of fans coming to my home town, when they have a history of creating trouble and will magnetise even more under current circumstances? If you don't allow them, will that make matters worse ? If they are allowed to attend, I hope to **** it goes peacefully or things are going to get even worse. It's not that uncommon for away fans to be banned from attending games if there is a significant safety threat. Red Star Belgrade fans were banned from going away to Inter Milan, in the Champions League second round match in Sept 2024. The Milan city authorities and Italian police have banned them from coming because of fears they will cause disorder. Uefa banned Barcelona fans from their Champions League away match against Red Star Belgrade at end 2024. Barca away supporters were handed an additional one-match ban after two separate incidents of racism. Their 2024 Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain is the first incident cited, which saw Barca fans were spotted making racist gestures, including Nazi salutes. Frankfurt supporters were banned from the second leg of their Champions League last-16 match in Naples in 2023, following fan trouble around the first leg in Frankfurt. Naples authority banned them from attending. Top-flight football in Greece was played behind closed doors for two months at end 2023/early 2024, in an effort to clamp down on violence at sporting events. The Greek government took action after a police officer was severely injured in violent clashes during a volleyball match between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos. Legia Warsaw – UEFA Europa Conference League (2022) vs Aston Villa. Violent clashes occurred during their match at Aston Villa. Missiles and flares were thrown at police officers; over 40 people were charged. UEFA banned Legia Warsaw from having away supporters at five European matches and fined the club for damages. Ajax Fans – UEFA Champions League vs Marseille (2022). French authorities cited a history of violent behaviour and animosity between Ajax and Marseille fans. The French Interior Ministry issued a decree banning Ajax fans from traveling to Marseille by any means—road, rail, air, or sea.
Simple solution ban all spectators, and make it be played behind closed doors, that has been done before, then Villa get no revenue
My first thought when I heard the news was they're banned because of their behaviour in Amsterdam. I don't think it's banning Jews because they are Jewish. It's banning thugs who have a history of causing violence.
but they do have Previous Hate crimes during a match against Paris Saint-Germain (2025): Following a Champions League game, West Midlands Police arrested three Aston Villa supporters for alleged hate crimes, including racist chanting The incidents involving Aston Villa fans are part of a broader, well-documented issue of football hooliganism that has plagued British and European football for decades. While these problems are typically associated with a minority of supporters, they can cause distress and significant public order issues. Around 30 members of the "Aston Villa Hardcore" attacked a pub where Cardiff City supporters had gathered. A total of ten Villa fans and three Cardiff fans were later jailed for their involvement. A group of Aston Villa fans targeted a coach carrying children and other Derby supporters after the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley. A thug, who was wearing an Aston Villa shirt, threw an object at the vehicle, smashing a window and terrifying the children inside.
You'd think the Asian Championships would have a say, plenty of money banging about the likes of Saudi, Qatar, China etc.
I was born in 1970, grew up thinking of violence as being the norm at football games. I took two beatings in the late 80s, at Filbert Street and at Old Trafford. I was a 17 year old at Old Trafford and went to a nearby policeman for help who punched me himself and told me to "**** off home". I still remember the smell of the leather gloves he had on when he punched me. We learned the hard way that violence at football is unacceptable. Look at what we have now, largely a welcoming family friendly environment where we feel safe. Anyone who wants to jeopardise that, be they black, white, brown, Muslim, Jewish, Christian or even agnostic can **** off.
uefa felt sorry them in the 70sbapparently, after they got turfed out of the Asia football federation as for Azerbaijan, money. We’ll have Saudi teams next .. even more money for some
