Maccabi Tel Aviv fans banned in Birmingham

Jewish Lawyer Calls the Decision Shameful

Former Tottenham solicitor Selwyn Tash condemned the Birmingham police decision to prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the Europa League match against Aston Villa. The controversy made the fixture one of the most discussed in England in recent years, not for its football, but for the political implications surrounding it.

Tash, a 73-year-old Jewish lawyer who served as legal counsel for Tottenham Hotspur between 2001 and 2023, has deep knowledge of English football culture and its social evolution. In an interview with Israel Hayom before the match, he expressed disappointment over the authorities’ decision.

“From my perspective, the ban on letting in Maccabi Tel Aviv fans is shameful.”

He argued that politics should never enter the realm of sports, describing the move as part of a broader pattern in Britain and beyond to isolate Israel and stigmatize it, both in sports and in cultural events such as Eurovision.

Concerns Within the Jewish Community

“As a Jew born in London and living here my entire life, I need to take special precautions. This is the first time I feel this way. For example, there are pro-Palestinian marches in central London almost every Saturday, an area we must stay away from.”

Tash’s comments reflect growing concern among British Jews about safety and inclusion amid rising political tensions linked to Israel.

Author’s Summary

Selwyn Tash condemns Birmingham police’s ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans as a political act that deepens alienation of Israel within British sports and society.