Home Office knew of police plan to exclude Israeli fans

PM will do 'everything in his power' to overturn football ban

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN, ARCHIE MITCHELL, KATE DEVLIN

The Home Office was told last week that supporters of Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv could be barred from a Europa League match at Aston Villa, police have revealed, as a major row over the ban escalated.

Sir Keir Starmer will do “everything in his power” to overturn the ban, according to his spokesperson, after he condemned the move as the “wrong decision” in a major government intervention.

News that Israeli fans would not be able to attend the club’s fixture in Birmingham on 6 November due to fears of violence has been met with outrage from Jewish communities.

The move by council leaders in Birmingham was branded a “national disgrace” by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and a “shameful decision” by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar.

The government is now expecting West Midlands Police to come forward with proposals for what resources it would need for all fans to attend the football match safely, The Independent understands, ahead of a council Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting next week.

However, ministers face fresh questions after it emerged the Home Office was briefed about the safety fears - and possible restrictions on fans visiting Villa Park - as early as last week by specialists from the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU).

Senior officers at the unit backed the ban, saying it was “important that we respect and support the structures in place for making these decisions”.