Calls for Sanctions on British MP Ayoub Khan

Aston Villa’s Actions Disqualifies Itself from Appearing in U.S. and Europa League Games

(New York, N.Y.)—CEP CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace stated:

“We condemn the discriminatory decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending their upcoming Europa League soccer match against Aston Villa in Birmingham next month. Soccer is a form of entertainment for its fans not an arena for discriminatory grandstanding. This action is clearly violative of multiple U.S., UK and EU laws which prohibit discrimination based on nationality, religion, race or ethnic origin – in addition to governing body UEFA’s own rules which do likewise. This unprecedented move, unashamedly spearheaded by local MP Ayoub Khan, is a disgraceful act that effectively punishes Israeli and Jewish fans for their identity under the pretense of "safety." 

“We call for sanctions on Mr. Khan.

“The spurious invoking of fan safety flies in the face of decades of successful European and British  efforts effectively dealing with football hooliganism. That era is past and should not be replaced by a new era of antisemitism.

“This decision, spurred by Mr. Khan’s plain anti-Israel animus—and endorsed and implemented by supine authorities, including the ‘Safety Advisory Group,’ the West Midlands police and with the consent of Aston Villa Football Club—amounts to collective punishment rooted in antisemitic bias. 

“Aston Villa Football Club’s willingness to acquiesce to this specious, politically motivated ‘advice’ to discriminate against Israeli fans is a failure.  No football club that wholesale bans a faith from its games can legitimately be seen to uphold the laws of the UK, the EU and U.S. and the underpinnings of sportsmanship and comity that are central to football.  Such an action effectively disqualifies Aston Villa from appearing in the U.S. and EU and such appearances should be prohibited until such time as Aston Villa takes corrective action.

“The U.S. should ban Aston Villa from playing in the United States, where Aston Villa has visited for pre-season tours for the past three consecutive Summers. Laws throughout the U.S prohibit such discriminatory actions and Aston Villa should be precluded from appearances, tickets sales and merchandise sales until such discriminatory action is revoked.

“We applaud Prime Minister Starmer’s statement rejecting this ban and reminding the police of their real job—namely, ‘to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation,’ as British police have done so frequently and successfully in the past. Sir Keir Starmer is absolutely right. Fans should not be barred from supporting their team based on nationality or religion. 

“Organized sports in the U.S. and in the UK represent a sacred expression of unity, sportsmanship and tradition. For Aston Villa to employ hate as a centrepiece of manipulation of a particular fan-base disqualifies the club from appearing the United States and calls into question its legitimate inclusion in the English premier league.”