Election Year or Fear!

[ramAnag]

God you are so literal, are you on the spectrum?. My observation was not specifically about football but rather about the way everything gets twisted into political capital, no matter how disconnected it is. By right, by left, by those with no real preference.

Am I on the spectrum! That’s truly funny coming from you of all people…but no, I’m not, and if I was being ‘literal’, well maybe that’s because my comment was ‘specifically about football’ (and politics) and hoping for intelligent and informed responses, such as MA’s, rather than just more of your silliness.

[ramAnag]

It sounds like the police decision could well be right then based on past performance MA, or are you suggesting that the Maccabites should be well able to look after themselves? So its nothing to do with a political decision so why (a) blame the government or (b) why does Starmer have to express an opinion? Its a public order issue "of detail", not something that needs PM intervention. Sometimes gobs are best left unopened

Well that last sentence is certainly true , but I’m glad you’ve at last managed to grasp the importance of the decision.
Why does Starmer have to express an opinion? Because certain individuals, most notably Badenoch and Farage (but also Davey) have forced him to in their effort to score political points by suggesting that the proposed ban is anti-Semitic.

As a result of MA’s comment we are able to see that the TAM fans have ‘form’ and, as you say, the police decision could be right. Then again isn’t that the case with many domestic football club supporters? Glad I don’t have to make a decision which hasn’t been helped at all by political point scoring…which was kind of my original point.

[Geoff Parkstone]

There are at least 2 other European matches this season where away fans have been banned yet so far as I can see only this one has been made into a political football. It doesn't matter who started it, it's just a shame that everything nowadays is turned into a political battlefield. You would hope that politicians of whatever hue could rise above it. But no, never miss a chance to score points - or think that what they are doing while simply making themselves look petty and stupid

[ramAnag]

There are at least 2 other European matches this season where away fans have been banned yet so far as I can see only this one has been made into a political football. It doesn't matter who started it, it's just a shame that everything nowadays is turned into a political battlefield. You would hope that politicians of whatever hue could rise above it. But no, never miss a chance to score points - or think that what they are doing while simply making themselves look petty and stupid

Agreed…as I also do with the first three sentences of MA’s contribution.

So would you uphold or do away with the ban? Not easy is it?

[Geoff Parkstone]

Actually it's very easy. Uphold it as it's a crowd safety issue, not a political plaything. MA's evidence only adds to my reasoning in that these supporters have history of both being targeted and stirring it. Plus it's only a midweek group stage game, if it were say, a final, then that may change the dynamics

[ramAnag]

Actually it's very easy. Uphold it as it's a crowd safety issue, not a political plaything. MA's evidence only adds to my reasoning in that these supporters have history of both being targeted and stirring it. Plus it's only a midweek group stage game, if it were say, a final, then that may change the dynamics

Perhaps a little oversimplified. I agree that it should be a crowd safety issue and not a political plaything and I agree too that MA’s evidence strengthens your case, but unfortunately it’s already been turned into a political issue and - playing devil’s advocate - what’s the difference between Tel Aviv troublemakers and those from, for example, Birmingham City, West Ham or Chelsea - who all happen to be three of my least favourite clubs with a reputation for nastiness?

[SithHappens]

It's the cities Safety Advisory Group that have said the fans should be banned. More disturbing is they go by the acronym SAG

I mean come on, just no, you'd find a way of avoiding that surely.

[SithHappens]

Surprisingly Farage has called for the RAF to start shooting Russian planes down today.

For someone who has openly sided with Russia it's a bold statement. Perhaps trying to distance himself from his close buddy Nathan Gill.

[Andy_Faber]

Perhaps a little oversimplified. I agree that it should be a crowd safety issue and not a political plaything and I agree too that MA’s evidence strengthens your case, but unfortunately it’s already been turned into a political issue and - playing devil’s advocate - what’s the difference between Tel Aviv troublemakers and those from, for example, Birmingham City, West Ham or Chelsea - who all happen to be three of my least favourite clubs with a reputation for nastiness?

The difference is who constitutes the other side - potentially not just Villa fans. In fact would guarantee not (see MA?s report)

[SithHappens]

Listen love..

what a prick

https://x.com/i/status/1979316729089266008

[ramAnag]

The difference is who constitutes the other side - potentially not just Villa fans. In fact would guarantee not (see MA?s report)

That’s a fair point, so taking into account the likely potential presence of ‘ordinary’ football hooligans (from both sides), Israeli supporters with a reputation for militancy and disgruntled Palestinian sympathisers in a city with a significant Muslim community…what do you think should happen?

[swaledale]

Both sides should be let into Villa park before the game and left to battle it out amongst themselves!!

[Andy_Faber]

Both sides should be let into Villa park before the game and left to battle it out amongst themselves!!

But which sides? MTB thugs v Leftie rent-a-cause folk v Local Muslims v queers for Palestine v Patriot trouble makers v blah blah with true Villa fans watching?

[Andy_Faber]

That’s a fair point, so taking into account the likely potential presence of ‘ordinary’ football hooligans (from both sides), Israeli supporters with a reputation for militancy and disgruntled Palestinian sympathisers in a city with a significant Muslim community…what do you think should happen?

Ban MTB fans, ban any further groups forming within a mile of the ground

[MadAmster]

In the past 2 years Maccabi fans have been somewhat less than welcome guests in both Athens and Cyprus. They have form, not just in Amsterdam.