THE Birmingham and District Communist Party has welcomed the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending next month’s match against Aston Villa, citing “a demonstrable history of violence and racism from football hooligans who pose a clear risk of causing havoc in our communities.”

The group pointed to findings by the New Israel Foundation, which ranks Maccabi’s fans among the most racist in Israeli football. Past incidents include chants such as “Death to the Arabs” and “Why is there no school in Gaza? There are no children left there.” Maccabi supporters were also involved in street violence in Amsterdam last year targeting Muslims and pro-Palestine demonstrators.

The party condemned what it called “an appallingly racist falsehood” from politicians, including high-ranking Tory MPs, accusing Birmingham of anti-semitism.

“Aston has long been home to people of many different faiths and cultures… and attempts to demonise the people of the area must be condemned,” the statement said.

The group also called for Israel and its football teams to be suspended from Fifa “until Israel plays by international law and ends its occupation of Palestine.”