Sir Keir Starmer has said the decision to bar away supporters from Aston Villa’s Europa League visit by Maccabi Tel Aviv is wrong. Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group informed Villa that no away fans would be allowed at the November 6 match at Villa Park, citing safety concerns. Starmer added: “This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.” West Midlands Police said the fixture was classed as high risk based on current intelligence and past incidents, including violent clashes and hate crime offences during last year’s Ajax versus Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Amsterdam.

Reaction to the decision drew mixed responses. Ayoub Khan, the Independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, welcomed the Safety Advisory Group’s move, saying latent safety risks around the match could not be fully managed. Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, described it as a national disgrace, while Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar called it a shameful decision.

Earlier on Thursday, the Prime Minister said “words are not enough, action is what matters” on a visit to the Community Security Trust, which protects Jewish communities in the UK. He announced a review of antisemitism in the NHS.