Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were barred from attending the UEFA Europa League match on November 6 against Aston Villa, according to "a number of physical and safety factors" brought up by West Midlands Police.
"The club is in continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities throughout this ongoing process, with the safety of supporters attending the match and the safety of local residents at the forefront of any decision," according to a statement by the Aston Villa Football Club.
"Following a meeting this afternoon, the SAG have formally written to the club and UEFA to advise no away fans will be permitted to attend Villa Park for this fixture," Villa added. "West Midlands Police have advised the SAG that they have public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the move by police was "the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation."
Parliament member Ayoub Khan signed a petition calling for the game to either be canceled, relocated to a neutral country, or held without a live audience.
“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,” the petition said.
UK Opposition Leader and head of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, described the decision as a "national disgrace."
"Starmer pledged that Jews are welcome and safe in Britain. That he stands shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community and will use the full force of his government to prove it," she wrote in a post on X/Twitter. "Will he back those words with action and guarantee that Jewish fans can walk into any football stadium in this country? If not, it sends a horrendous and shameful message: there are parts of Britain where Jews simply cannot go."
Is this against the rules?
According to UEFA rules, at least five percent of a stadium's capacity must be reserved for visiting supporters.
“UEFA wants fans to be able to travel and support their team in a safe, secure and welcoming environment, and encourages both teams and the competent authorities to agree on the implementation of appropriate measures necessary to allow this to happen," the organization said in a statement to The Athletic.
“In all cases, the competent local authorities remain responsible for decisions related to the safety and security of matches taking place on their territory, such decisions being determined on the basis of thorough risk assessments, which vary from match to match and take into consideration previous circumstances.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv has yet to release an official statement regarding the matter.
"Shameful decision!" Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar wrote on X. "I call on the UK authorities to reverse this cowardly decision!"
Israeli opposition and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid said on X that Israel must appeal to the British government to reverse the decision.
"This is not a decision made by the local police, and UEFA’s support for it is disgraceful. The war is over, and the anti-Israel campaign must stop," he said.