How violent Amsterdam football riot unfolded – and why police have banned Israeli fans from Aston Villa
Football fans from Maccabi Tel Aviv have been told they cannot attend next month’s Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham – a ban that has been swiftly condemned by Sir Keir Starmer, Jewish political leaders and Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar.
The prime minister said: “This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.
“The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”
Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group – the body responsible for issuing safety certificates for every match at Villa Park – had issued the ban after West Midlands Police said they had classified the fixture as high risk.
They stated this decision had been made based on “current intelligence and previous incidents” which included the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.
Violent clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli fans erupted ahead of the match, with five men handed prison sentences and more than 60 people detained in the riots.
As government officials are set to meet over the ban, The Independent takes a look back at what happened in Amsterdam last autumn:
Prior to the match, Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema relocated a pro-Palestinian demonstration away from the Johan Cruyff Arena to reduce potential confrontations, though Tel Aviv fans reportedly continued to rally in Dam Square, sparking angry clashes.
Amsterdam’s police chief said Maccabi supporters attacked a taxi and set a Palestinian flag on fire the day before the match.
But Mayor Halsema said the actions were no excuse for what came later as violence erupted in the European city.
On match day over 200 Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters took to the streets of Amsterdam some were filmed tearing down Palestinian flags and others chanted anti-Palestinian slogans.
Police escorted them to the stadium.
In the Johan Cruyff Arena, just before kick-off, Tel Aviv fans ignored a moment of silence honouring recent flood victims in Spain, triggering more hostilities inside the stadium.
On the streets the disorder escalated when one rioter was seen scaling a building to rip down a Palestinian flag. Taxi drivers seeking revenge attacked the group even using apps to track down victims, according to The Times.
