Ajax

Maccabi Tel Aviv is an Israeli football team that became the center of controversy after its fans were banned from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham, England, in November 2025. The ban, enacted by a Birmingham safety committee based on intelligence from West Midlands Police (WMP), sparked outrage and an official inquiry. The WMP claimed the ban was necessary due to potential security risks posed by the fans. However, Dutch police have questioned the credibility of the intelligence provided by WMP. The U.K. Home Secretary has reportedly pressured the police chief to resign due to the handling of the situation. WMP leaders have defended their decision, insisting it was not politically motivated. The incident is significant because it raises questions about the justification for restricting access to sporting events based on nationality and the reliability of police intelligence in such decisions.