Off Topic Politics Thread

[Libby]

I am not sure that is actually possible. The cost for Saints v Pompey was expensive. Here , you woukd gave an issue with 2 sets or supporters plus any protesters wanting to turn up. I think a ban is sensible. Villa supporters would have been unlikely to get to Israel....especially if they are Muslim.

And yet away fans aren't routinely banned from attending matches in this country even when there's a risk of violence, as it's the job of the police to protect them.

Maybe you shouldn't be allowed to visit Qatar anymore incase there are citizens there wanting to target British Citizens due to our actions in Iraq?

Israeli sides don't play European games in Israel currently btw.

 

[Ian Thumwood]

Shocked that you've managed to find a way to blame this on Maccabi fans.

Complete nonsense argument. Loads of countries in UEFA still have huge hooligan problems.

Libby

According to the Guardian, Maccabi fans targeted Muslims during a match in Amsterdam in November 2024. They were chanting support for killing Palestinian children , setting off flares and smashed up a taxi. Palestinian flags were all torn down.

One of the Israeli clubs is affiliated with the more extreme Zionists in Israel. I cannot recall which club it was but the issue was embedded in the culture of the club and not just it's supporters.

 

[The Ides of March]

I don't think it's a difficult one at all. It's 2025 and a first world country with a functioning police force should be able to guarantee the safety of foreign football supporters.

I beg to differ. Look what happened to Manchester City's coach when they played Liverpool a few years back? If the police can't police a team coach, it would be more difficult to police the fans. Add to that the emotions aroused among a large number of people in the área, so it is right to think of public safety.

 

[Ian Thumwood]

They are called Beitar Jerusalem.

 

[The Ides of March]

Libby

According to the Guardian, Maccabi fans targeted Muslims during a match in Amsterdam in November 2024. They were chanting support for killing Palestinian children , setting off flares and smashed up a taxi. Palestinian flags were all torn down.

One of the Israeli clubs is affiliated with the more extreme Zionists in Israel. I cannot recall which club it was but the issue was embedded in the culture of the club and not just it's supporters.

Beitar Jerusalem!! You beat me to it!

 

[Libby]

Just wondered if you would be so unequivocal if the team had been Palestinian with links to Hamas ?

I don't think Israeli or Russian teams should be in sporting competitions.

Is that a fair equivalence? Are Maccabi directly linked to the IDF/the Israeli state? Genuinely asking I don't know.

Or is this doing your usual routine of holding all Israeli citizens (or even Jews like you did the other day) responsible?

 

[Libby]

I beg to differ. Look what happened to Manchester City's coach when they played Liverpool a few years back? If the police can't police a team coach, it would be more difficult to police the fans. Add to that the emotions aroused among a large number of people in the área, so it is right to think of public safety.

Should probably just ban all fans from ever attending football matches then if it's never possible to guarantee safety. After all fans could attack opposition coaches everywhere.

 

[Ian Thumwood]

Is that a fair equivalence? Are Maccabi directly linked to the IDF/the Israeli state? Genuinely asking I don't know.

Or is this doing your usual routine of holding all Israeli citizens (or even Jews like you did the other day) responsible?

Libby

I usually respect your opinions.

Read The Guardian article and then tell me that you woukd tolerate this behaviour in Southampton.

Hooligans supporting any European club are not welcome. The whole point of sport is to unite people.

 

[tomw24]

This just sets such a dangerous precedent going forwards. I cannot believe West Midlands Police wouldn't be able to handle 1000-1500 Israeli away fans.

 

[thebronze14]

If Villa or the police are unwilling/unable to guarantee safety, the game should be played in Israel. It'll be safer than Birmingham.

This action by the police is another move to appease the large Muslim population and Thumwood.

After Israels genocide I really wouldn't want a team I support playing them...If Russian teams are banned then Israeli teams should have been as well. Feel sorry for the powers that be that had to make the decision...The behavior of their fans was pretty abhorrent in Amsterdam last year and if they behaved similarly in Birmingham there would be a world of bother. Fans of European clubs have been banned plenty of times in the past so it's not that unusual

 

[Ian Thumwood]

I beg to differ. Look what happened to Manchester City's coach when they played Liverpool a few years back? If the police can't police a team coach, it would be more difficult to police the fans. Add to that the emotions aroused among a large number of people in the área, so it is right to think of public safety.

Exactly. And they will be policing protesters in top of the 2 sets of fans. What about the residents too ?

Common sense to prevent Maccabi fans not attending- especially after Amsterdam in 2024.

 

[Libby]

Libby

I usually respect your opinions.

Read The Guardian article and then tell me that you woukd tolerate this behaviour in Southampton.

Hooligans supporting any European club are not welcome. The whole point of sport is to unite people.

I agree hooligans aren't welcome. But the fact is we always do welcome teams with large hooligan elements and I don't recall any recent occasion where we've banned fans from France/Poland/Germany etc.

The point is this is absolutely nothing to do with hooliganism and all down to bowing down to the threat of violence from protest groups instead of just dealing with it if and when it arises.

Like I said, maybe you shouldn't be allowed to travel to Qatar anymore. Probably lots of Muslims there who are angry at British actions in the middle east so why should the authorities there protect you?

 

[tomw24]

Libby

I usually respect your opinions.

Read The Guardian article and then tell me that you woukd tolerate this behaviour in Southampton.

Hooligans supporting any European club are not welcome. The whole point of sport is to unite people.

Stop hiding behind the hooliganism excuse. I don’t remember you kicking up a fuss when Roma fans, or Olympiakos fans have travelled for games in the UK and caused trouble.

 

[Ian Thumwood]

After Israels genocide I really wouldn't want a team I support playing them...If Russian teams are banned then Israeli teams should have been as well. Feel sorry for the powers that be that had to make the decision...The behavior of their fans was pretty abhorrent in Amsterdam last year and if they behaved similarly in Birmingham there would be a world of bother. Fans of European clubs have been banned plenty of times in the past so it's not that unusual

This pretty much sums it up.

I take it that IOAG would be happy with the ruckus if the Maccabi fans behaved this way in Chandler's Ford ?

A ban is not vindictive. It is just common sense that will save everyone a lot of bother. A bet there were a few in here who were ok with Liverpool being banned in the late 1980s.

 

[Libby]

After Israels genocide I really wouldn't want a team I support playing them...If Russian teams are banned then Israeli teams should have been as well. Feel sorry for the powers that be that had to make the decision...The behavior of their fans was pretty abhorrent in Amsterdam last year and if they behaved similarly in Birmingham there would be a world of bother. Fans of European clubs have been banned plenty of times in the past so it's not that unusual

Got a recent example of the UK banning a foreign teams fans from attending a match here? Roma fans nearly killed a Liverpool fan here not too long ago but have travelled for games since.

Again, this is nothing to do with hooliganism and the threat the travelling fans pose but the threat against them.

The point about whether they should be allowed to compete is a separate argument and irrelevant to the decision that has been made. The fact is they are competing and the fixture is going ahead.

 

[The Ides of March]

Should probably just ban all fans from ever attending football matches then if it's never possible to guarantee safety. After all fans could attack opposition coaches everywhere.

I would imagine Villa fans per se would have welcomed the Maccabi fans and will probably display some support for them.during the match, so.it is not about hooliganism.betwden two sets of different supporters!

 

[The Ides of March]

This pretty much sums it up.

I take it that IOAG would be happy with the ruckus if the Maccabi fans behaved this way in Chandler's Ford ?

A ban is not vindictive. It is just common sense that will save everyone a lot of bother. A bet there were a few in here who were ok with Liverpool being banned in the late 1980s.

Not Everton fans,!

 

[It'sOnlyAGame]

Basically we're bowing down to a protest group threatening violence. It's a disgrace.


Yeah I was just being more direct to see if people found it more acceptable taking religion out of it. I originally included as I assume it's fairly likely that there are UK based Jews who might support Israeli football teams, especially if they might have emigrated from there.

In this instance I don't think you can take religion out of it.

I can honestly understand the police's concerns because there would undoubtedly be violence if colossal safety measures aren't taken. But, as you say refusing their fans tickets is just bowing down to a protest group, unfortunately not for the first time. The authorities in this country are afraid of what upsetting Muslims will lead to and they are now calling the shots on how the law is carried out.
This is the result of appeasement.

 

[Libby]

This pretty much sums it up.

I take it that IOAG would be happy with the ruckus if the Maccabi fans behaved this way in Chandler's Ford ?

A ban is not vindictive. It is just common sense that will save everyone a lot of bother. A bet there were a few in here who were ok with Liverpool being banned in the late 1980s.

Liverpool fans were involved in an incident which killed 39 people and was at a time when English fans were by far the worst behaved in Europe. It was also 40 years ago

Again, it's nothing to do with hooliganism. Any recent examples of the UK banning foreign fans from attending matches here?

 

[thebronze14]

Got a recent example of the UK banning a foreign teams fans from attending a match here? Roma fans nearly killed a Liverpool fan here not too long ago but have travelled for games since.

Again, this is nothing to do with hooliganism and the threat the travelling fans pose but the threat against them.

The point about whether they should be allowed to compete is a separate argument and irrelevant to the decision that has been made. The fact is they are competing and the fixture is going ahead.

I didn't disagree with you. Sadly the genocidal actions of their country has put their people in danger.

I disagree that it can be business as usual though