Maccabi fans viewed by police as 'biggest risk' of violence

Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were banned from watching their game against Aston Villa after police intelligence concluded that the biggest risk of violence came from extremist fans of the Israeli club.

- Vikram Dodd

The ban ignited an intense controversy and was criticised by the prime minister as well as others claiming it was a surrender to antisemitism.

The police assessment led to the fixture on 6 November at Villa Park in Birmingham being classed as high risk. The intelligence and risk assessments that led to that conclusion and ban have not been made public.

But sources with knowledge of the details of the intelligence and risk assessments tell the Guardian that the Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were seen as likely to be the perpetrators of trouble. Sources say police intelligence said:

Scores of extreme Maccabi fans with a history of violence and shouting “racist taunts” were expected to travel to the Birmingham game.

Dutch police told their British counterparts that the Maccabi fans had instigated trouble in Amsterdam at a game last year. They had randomly picked Muslims in Amsterdam to attack. That led to reprisal violence with some Dutch Jews attacked.