Pressure mounted Friday on Birmingham authorities to reverse a police-backed ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters attending Aston Villa’s Nov. 6 Europa League game, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “the wrong decision” and officials sought an urgent fix. Police cited high-risk intelligence and past violence in Amsterdam; a local lawmaker backed the ban. UEFA urged access for fans, and its supporters’ group warned an away-fan ban would be unprecedented in England and risky. The row unfolds amid heightened concern about antisemitism after a deadly Manchester synagogue attack.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.