Maccabi fan ban was due to hooliganism, say police
11 hours ago Share Save Phil Mackie, Midlands correspondent and Rachel Russell, West Midlands Share Save
PA Media More than 700 officers from across the country policed the game at Villa Park
West Midlands Police has defended keeping silent over the "significant hooliganism" among Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, which it now confirms is the reason they were banned from attending the Europa League clash with Aston Villa. More than 700 officers from 20 police forces were deployed near Villa Park on Thursday, where hundreds took part in demonstrations over the controversial decision. When it emerged in October that fans of the Israeli club would not be welcome, senior MPs, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, said it amounted to antisemitism. Jack Angelides, CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv, told the BBC their fans being banned meant it was "time for some
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