2 h. ago Shabana Mahmood was told of Maccabi Tel Aviv ban plans a week ago and 'had not objected': Hamas victim likens police decision to a sign saying 'no Jews allowed'

Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood were locked in an extraordinary stand-off with the police last night over controversial plans to ban Israeli football fans from an Aston Villa match.

Events

9 h. ago Ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans is a terrible decision – and a depressing one | Barney Ronay

The idea that barring the Israeli club’s supporters from Villa Park will de-escalate a volatile situation just doesn’t stand upWell, at least we have Ayoub Khan in the house, Birmingham MP and a voice of tolerance, unity and de-escalation in these difficult times. “Sports entertainment events should be enjoyed by all regardless of their race, ethnicity and background,” Khan wrote on X on Thursday. One hundred per cent this. Heart emoji. Slay, king. This is not just the best part of sport. It’s the only real point.“Now is the time to ease tensions, set aside political difference and focus on the football,” Khan concluded, scattering flowers of all shades, fluttering his fingers to release a cascade of butterflies, and opening his arms to embrace, personally, brothers and sisters of every caste and clime. Continue reading...

Events

10 h. ago Home Office was told last week that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans could face ban for Aston Villa match, police say

Sir Keir Starmer will do ‘everything in his power’ to overturn the controversial ban, according to his spokesman

Society

11 h. ago Home Office offers extra resources in bid to undo ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans at Aston Villa tie

No 10 says discussions happening ‘at pace’ with West Midlands police asked to provide alternate proposalsThe Home Office is offering extra support to West Midlands police in an effort to reverse its ban on fans of the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv attending a match at Villa Park next month.After a political outcry about the police decision that would stop Israeli fans going to the match, Downing Street said on Friday that discussions were happening “at pace across government” to resolve the issue. Continue reading...

Society

11 h. ago Ministers doing ‘everything in our power’ to let Maccabi fans attend Villa match

Pressure has been mounting to overturn the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending the club’s Europa League match against Aston Villa.

Politics

11 h. ago Ministers locked in talks over ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans at Aston Villa tie

No 10 says discussions happening ‘at pace’ to resolve issue after decision by West Midlands police to issue banUK politics live – latest updatesMinisters have been locked in talks in an attempt to persuade West Midlands police to reverse a ban on fans of the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv attending a match at Villa Park next month.After a political outcry about the decision, Downing Street said on Friday that discussions were happening “at pace, across government” to resolve the issue. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Birmingham MP who backed Israeli football fan ban warmly shakes the hand of preacher who has urged followers to show 'no mercy' to Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters

Footage showed MP Ayoub Khan, a close ally of hard-Left former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn , shaking hands with Muslim influencer Asrar Rashid at Lozells Central Mosque in Birmingham in July.

Politics

14 h. ago No 10 pledges action on Maccabi fans ban a week after police warned of risk

Discussions are happening ‘at pace, across Government’ to overturn the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending the Aston Villa match, No 10 said.

Events

14 h. ago Postecoglou defends ‘trophy’ record; Arteta backs Gyökeres, Palmer injury blow – football live

Latest news and comment before weekend’s actionPremier League: 10 things to look out for | Mail JohnTroubling news for Chelsea: Cole Palmer, who has not played since September, faces six more weeks out with a groin injury.The latest on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s visit to Aston Villa:Senior government officials will meet on Friday as they look to reverse a decision by West Midlands police to ban fans of the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv from a European match at Aston Villa next month. Continue reading...

Events

14 h. ago Moment Birmingham MP who backed Israeli football fan ban was warmly praised at mosque by preacher who has urged followers to show 'no mercy' to Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters

Footage has emerged of Muslim influencer Asrar Rashid praising MP Ayoub Khan, a close ally of hard-Left former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, at Lozells Central Mosque in Birmingham.

Politics

15 h. ago No 10 pledges action on Israeli fans ban a week after police warned of risk

Discussions are happening ‘at pace, across Government’ to overturn the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending the Aston Villa match, No 10 said.

Events

15 h. ago Arteta backs Gyökeres, Palmer injury blow, Liverpool v Manchester United news – football live

Latest news and comment before weekend’s actionPremier League: 10 things to look out for | Mail DominicTroubling news for Chelsea: Cole Palmer, who has not played since September, faces six more weeks out with a groin injury.The latest on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s visit to Aston Villa:Senior government officials will meet on Friday as they look to reverse a decision by West Midlands police to ban fans of the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv from a European match at Aston Villa next month. Continue reading...

Sport

15 h. ago Discussions to overturn ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans happening ‘at pace’ – No 10

Sir Keir Starmer wants to do ‘everything in his power’ to ensure Jewish people feel safe in the UK, a No 10 spokesman added.

Politics

15 h. ago 'Angry' Keir Starmer working to reverse decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa match

Senior Government figures are meeting to discuss the ‘completely and utterly unacceptable’ safety ban

Politics

16 h. ago Starmer doing ‘everything in his power’ to overturn ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending Aston Villa game

Supporters of Israeli club were blocked from attending Europa League tie in Birmingham due to safety fears

Sport

16 h. ago POLL OF THE DAY: Should Israeli football fans be banned from watching their team play in Birmingham?

A decision to ban fans of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending the team's Europa League game against Aston Villa next month has caused huge controversy.

Politics

17 h. ago Alisson out for Liverpool; Manchester United stadium latest; Palmer injury setback – football live

Latest news and comment before weekend’s actionPremier League: 10 things to look out for | Mail DominicTroubling news for Chelsea: Cole Palmer, who has not played since September, faces six more weeks out with a groin injury.The latest on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s visit to Aston Villa:Senior government officials will meet on Friday as they look to reverse a decision by West Midlands police to ban fans of the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv from a European match at Aston Villa next month. Continue reading...

Sport

17 h. ago The Birmingham preacher who urged 'no mercy' for Israeli fans amid fury at city's ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters attending Aston Villa match

Muslim influencer Asrar Rashid told a lecture in Amsterdam that 'mercy has its time and place' - but not when the Europa League match takes place at Villa Park in Birmingham on November 6.

Politics

17 h. ago West Midlands police pressed over ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans at Aston Villa tie

Area’s crime commissioner demands review and culture secretary to speak to Home Office over decisionUK politics live – latest updatesPressure is mounting on West Midlands police over their ban on fans of the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv from a match at Aston Villa next month, as the area’s crime commissioner demanded a review of the decision.Senior cabinet ministers, including Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, and Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, are due to meet on Friday to “find a way through”, after the ban was criticised by politicians across the spectrum including the prime minister. Continue reading...

Events

17 h. ago Police under rising pressure over ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans at Aston Villa tie

West Midlands crime commissioner demands review as ministers meet to ‘find a way through’UK politics live – latest updatesPressure is mounting on West Midlands police over their ban on fans of the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv from a match at Aston Villa next month, as the area’s crime commissioner demanded a review of the decision.Senior cabinet ministers, including Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, and Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, are due to meet on Friday to “find a way through”, after the ban was criticised by politicians across the spectrum, including the prime minister. Continue reading...

Events