German Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart has confirmed there will be no ban on supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv attending next week's Europa League fixture, marking a stark contrast to the controversial exclusion enforced in England last month.
No Ban Discussed for Stuttgart Match
Stuttgart officials have told Sky News that prohibiting away fans was never under consideration for the match scheduled for Thursday, 5 December 2025. This will be Maccabi's first European away game since their fans were barred from attending the match against Aston Villa in Birmingham.
The club stated clearly: "Maccabi Tel Aviv fans can attend this game. There was no discussion in Stuttgart about excluding away fans - neither among the local authorities nor within the club." The municipal council added that after consultations with all relevant public safety bodies, everyone is "well prepared" and focused on securing safety at the MHP Arena.
Contrast with Birmingham Decision
This approach diverges sharply from the decision taken by West Midlands Police ahead of Maccabi's game at Aston Villa in November. Police chiefs there cited safety threats linked to community tensions from the Israel-Hamas war, justifying the ban to the Home Affairs Select Committee by referencing alleged racist violence by Maccabi fans in Amsterdam in 2024.
However, Dutch police have partially disputed this evidence provided to UK authorities. The ban was condemned by Football Supporters Europe (FSE), the continent's main fan organisation.
Supporters' Group Backs German Approach
FSE has welcomed Stuttgart's decision. Ronan Evain, the group's executive director, told Sky News that an away travel ban is "always an admission of defeat from the public authorities." He praised the German model, stating: "Germany is very experienced in organising high-profile games and never had to resort to such extreme measures."
Evain emphasised that the vast majority of European police forces can host away fans safely and expressed satisfaction that German police opted for an "intelligence-informed approach" that protects fundamental rights like freedom of movement.
The upcoming match in Stuttgart therefore sets a different precedent, highlighting varying European approaches to policing high-profile football matches during a period of heightened international tension.
