Senior government figures, including Ed Miliband, have strongly criticised the decision to ban fans of Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their upcoming match against Aston Villa in Birmingham. The ban was imposed by local authorities citing safety concerns, following violent incidents at previous matches involving the Israeli team. Miliband emphasised that Aston Villa's ground must not become a 'no-go area' for Jews or people of any particular religion or nationality, urging action against all forms of prejudice. The move has sparked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum, with calls for the ban to be overturned and assurances that policing can safely manage high-risk events. Birmingham City Council has stated the ban will only be reviewed if police reassess the risk, while the Government awaits further details on what would be needed to allow both sets of fans to attend safely.