Ahead of their UEFA Europa League game against Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv, scheduled for November 6, Aston Villa has announced that their opponent’s fans cannot attend the game.

The Premier League side announced this decision in a statement on Thursday.

“Aston Villa can confirm the club has been informed that no away fans may attend the UEFA Europa League match with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, November 6, following an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group,” the statement reads.

Citing the safety and security of visiting fans from Israel, the club said, “The Safety Advisory Group (SAG) is responsible for issuing safety certificates for every match at Villa Park, based on a number of physical and safety factors.”

To prevent potential antisemitic violence against Israelis who might be visiting Villa to support their home club, Villa said they are “in continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities throughout this ongoing process, with the safety of supporters attending the match and the safety of local residents at the forefront of any decision.”

Villa said it had formally written to Maccabi Tel Aviv and UEFA, informing them that no visiting fans will be allowed for the game.

“Following a meeting this afternoon, the SAG has formally written to the club and UEFA to advise that no away fans will be permitted to attend Villa Park for this fixture.

“West Midlands Police have advised the SAG that they have public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night,” the club said.

Aston Villa, who are making their return to European competition under manager Unai Emery, are expected to issue further logistical guidance for home supporters in the coming days.

The move underscores growing caution among UK authorities when managing fixtures with potential geopolitical sensitivities, especially amid a recent rise in antisemitic incidents and public safety concerns across major cities.This comes amid concerns over antisemitic violence in the UK in recent times. On October 2, two people were killed and others were injured in an attack carried out by Jihad Al-Shamie at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester.

Mr Al-Shamie, a British man of Syrian origin who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, was neutralised during the attack that was later declared a terrorist act by UK counterterrorism police. The attack came on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.