6 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

13 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

14 h. ago Ban on Israeli football fans attending match in Birmingham could be lifted in days as ministers scramble to beef up policing

The Government has been pressuring West Midlands Police to reverse a decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from their Europa League game against Aston Villa on 6 November.

Politics

14 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

15 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

16 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

18 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

18 h. ago Ministers under fire after it emerges Home Office knew LAST WEEK that Israeli football fans could be banned from attending match in Birmingham but did nothing to intervene

Sir Keir Starmer is applying major pressure on police to reverse the decision. But it emerged today that the Home Office was 'briefed last week' about it and did nothing.

Politics

19 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

19 h. ago 'Let them watch the match': Pressure mounts on authorities in Birmingham to reverse 'national disgrace' decision to ban fans of Israeli football team from attending game in England over safety fears

No10 said Sir Keir Starmer had been 'angered' by the decision to bar followers of Maccabi Tel Aviv from their Europa League visit to Villa Park in Birmingham on November 6 amid public safety fears.

Sport

20 h. ago Israeli football club whose fans have been BANNED from Aston Villa match hit back at 'unfair' police decision

A senior official from Maccabi Tel Aviv believes the spectre of antisemitism may have influenced the decision to stop the Israeli club's fans attending a football match on British soil.

Events

20 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

20 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

21 h. ago Why are Maccabi Tel Aviv fans banned from Aston Villa game and why is it controversial?

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has criticised the decision over the Europa League match next month

Sport

21 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

21 h. ago Robert Rinder fears for safety of Jewish community after ban on Israeli fans attending Aston Villa game

Robert Rinder has expressed fears for the safety of the Jewish community after a ban was placed on Israeli fans attending a match against Aston Villa.

Politics

22 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

22 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

22 h. ago Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ban: Freed hostage Emily Damari 'shocked to core' by move to bar Israelis from Aston Villa match

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

Events

22 h. ago Is it wrong to ban Israeli fans from Aston Villa game for security reasons?

A BACKLASH is growing after Israeli fans were banned from an upcoming Aston Villa game because it's a "high security risk". The Europa League match in Birmingham on November 6 comes as Israeli fans are targeted by protests whenever they play away from home. Pro-Palestine protests erupted outside the national side’s match against Italy on Tuesday and...

Politics