Labour pushed to allow Maccabi fans despite police warning on threat to Muslims

West Midlands Police determined Maccabi Tel Aviv fans posed a risk to Muslim communities in Birmingham in their assessment before banning the fans from a fixture on Thursday at Aston Villa, Middle East Eye can reveal.

The ban triggered a political furore and was denounced as antisemitic last month by the British government. 

Now MEE can reveal new details about the police assessment behind the ban which raises fresh questions about the response of government ministers, who said they would work to ensure Maccabi fans could attend the game despite the police assessment.

Documents seen by MEE show that police concluded that there was a "medium risk to local Muslim communities" and a "medium risk to pro-Palestine protestors", as well as a "high risk to away supporters", who were considered likely to provoke trouble.

The police said some Maccabi fans "were associated with a history of racist behaviour towards players and fans, and a well documented and concerning history of disorder and violence at both home and away matches".

Read more: Labour pushed to allow Maccabi fans despite police warning on threat to Muslims