4 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

5 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

6 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

6 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

9 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

9 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

9 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

9 h. ago 'If Tel Aviv thugs can petrify police at Aston Villa match we're all in trouble'

Police have decided to ban Tel Aviv football fans from a match in Birmingham on the grounds they cannot guarantee anyone's safety. Fleet Street Fox wonders what the point of policing is

Events

10 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

11 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

12 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

12 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

12 h. ago Birmingham authorities facing mounting pressure over Israeli football fans ban

The West Midlands’ police and crime commissioner has called for a review of the decision.

Politics

13 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

13 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

14 h. ago How violent Amsterdam football riot unfolded – and why police have banned Israeli fans from Aston Villa

Sir Keir Starmer has criticised the ban and said ‘we will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets’

Events

16 h. ago Senior Government figures will meet in bid to overturn Israeli football fans ban

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Home Office officials will be among those attempting to reverse the decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters.

Politics

25 h. ago 'This is the wrong decision': Starmer criticises move to BAN fans of Israeli club from Aston Villa clash amid 'safety and security fears'

Villa released a statement on Thursday announcing that no away fans will be permitted to attend the Europa League match next month, amid fears over safety and security.

Politics

26 h. ago 'This is the wrong decision': Starmer blasts in tweet after fans of Israeli club are BANNED from Aston Villa clash amid 'safety and security fears'

Villa released a statement on Thursday announcing that no away fans will be permitted to attend the Europa League match next month, amid fears over safety and security.

Events

26 h. ago Fury as fans of Israeli club are BANNED from Aston Villa clash amid 'safety and security fears' and concerns over protests; PM slams 'wrong' decision

Aston Villa released a statement on Thursday announcing that no away fans will be permitted to attend the Europa League match, amid fears over safety and security.

Events