General News Thread

[Parafox]

20 hours ago, blabyboy said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgql2qzkz5zo

 

All starting to feel very 1950's McCarthy-esque all of a sudden 

"No one is above the law," US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement announcing the charges.

 

The irony.

[st albans fox]

Anyway 

moving onto the next thing 

bong

 

andy no longer Duke of York 

[Mickyblueeyes]

7 minutes ago, South Shire Fox said:

Fans have been killed at Roma matches and they havent been banned from matches in England? Id say thats slightly worse 😂

Roma got a ban in Europe - a ban from UEFA. Are Macabi peaceful ? Is this as big as it needing the PM and his guys to step into meetings ? Does it need such attention. 
 

It’s a common sense decision and Macabi are no angels. It happens across European cities. Usually by a UEFA ban - I don’t think they saw any punishment for their behaviour in Amsterdam.

 

Do you think that behaviour in Amsterdam deserved a punishment 

[Zear0]

7 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

Anyway 

moving onto the next thing 

bong

 

andy no longer Duke of York 

Thought Ange would defo get sacked first. 

[Parafox]

10 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

The banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans to Villa Park is a story being made too much of. 

 

It's common place right across Europe where police forces believe they may have overwhelmed. It's not particularly unprecedented in the UK either - ourselves back a few years ago were banned from visiting Millwall and vice versa. So we were Birmingham if memory services me correctly. 

 

Italian authorities are pulling Schegen rules for 48 hrs soon for the visit for Eintracht Frankfurt and the French authorities have on more than one occasion affectively banned away supporters from city centres (happened to Spurs in Rennes). 

 

Commonsense approach. 

IMO the fixture should never have been considered in the first place. 

 

What was the reason? What would it achieve? It just feels antagonistic. 

[Parafox]

4 hours ago, Noahfence said:

Why are all our politicians losing their minds over this?!

 

There’s videos of their fans singing about sexually assaulting women for god sake!

Starmer. Clown. He'll put this country at risk to show how he's multicultural and accepting of all.

 

And I'm in no way a radical left or right, I just say it as I see it.

 

 

Edited 17 October 2025 by Parafox

[South Shire Fox]

12 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

Roma got a ban in Europe - a ban from UEFA. Are Macabi peaceful ? Is this as big as it needing the PM and his guys to step into meetings ? Does it need such attention. 
 

It’s a common sense decision and Macabi are no angels. It happens across European cities. Usually by a UEFA ban - I don’t think they saw any punishment for their behaviour in Amsterdam.

 

Do you think that behaviour in Amsterdam deserved a punishment 

So UEFA didnt issue a ban but they should be banned from matches in England for something that happened a year ago? Right..

 

They were fighting local Muslim mobs in Amsterdam. I dont get why you keep making out this is all one sided violence😂. They are both as bad as each other

[Foxdiamond]

42 minutes ago, South Shire Fox said:

Are they any worse then any other club who plays in European competition with a hooligan element like Napoli, Roma, Frankfurt etc? Or are they banned because the Police cant guarentee their safety from the local mobs? 

This is the crucial question. If their fans should be banned because of their behaviour then I understand. If because mobs from outside are the threat then the focus should be on them.  We can't afford to allow mob rule dictate who is allowed to visit. 

[Mickyblueeyes]

2 minutes ago, South Shire Fox said:

So UEFA didnt issue a ban but they should be banned from matches in England for something that happened a year ago? Right..

 

They were fighting local Muslim mobs in Amsterdam. I dont get why you keep making out this is all one sided violence😂. They are both as bad as each other

I’m making it out like it’s one sided violence ? Says the fella who questioned the “Islamic community” only. Including the 86 year old granny in whatever that community is. Pot kettle black. 
 

Anyway, what I’m quite obviously not getting across is when you remove the emotions, this decision is common sense. Macabi are no angels despite what someone might have suggested in this thread. This isn’t racism. It’s authorities sitting down and applying logic for the better policing for the city at large. 
 

Are Macabi abrasive, abusive, violent - or do they have violent elements that can cause a serious risk - of course. Is there some violent, abusive trouble makers here that can also cause issue - yes. Can any sane person see that this is a situation that can get violent, very quickly ? I mean you’ve got to be idiot to not see both sides have elements to allow that. 
 

Let’s be serious about this. Further funding, ministers having multiple meetings, defending what many consider a controversial fan base and exposing a city to trouble is probably excessive.

 

This is a sensible decision. 

[Parafox]

21 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

Anyway 

moving onto the next thing 

bong

 

andy no longer Duke of York 

Giving up all his titles and privileges.

 

The man is a Saville in royal clothing.

 

Shame he won't face a trial.

[bovril]

It's not that complicated really. Maccabi fans are scum and Israeli clubs shouldn't even be in the competition. At the same time obviously our cities are now potential flashpoints of ethnic and religious violence and this is very much a 'real issue' for many people, not just what Zack Polanski says about muh billionaires. 

[Foxdiamond]

2 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

I’m making it out like it’s one sided violence ? Says the fella who questioned the “Islamic community” only. Including the 86 year old granny in whatever that community is. Pot kettle black. 
 

Anyway, what I’m quite obviously not getting across is when you remove the emotions, this decision is common sense. Macabi are no angels despite what someone might have suggested in this thread. This isn’t racism. It’s authorities sitting down and applying logic for the better policing for the city at large. 
 

Are Macabi abrasive, abusive, violent - or do they have violent elements that can cause a serious risk - of course. Is there some violent, abusive trouble makers here that can also cause issue - yes. Can any sane person see that this is a situation that can get violent, very quickly ? I mean you’ve got to be idiot to not see both sides have elements to allow that. 
 

Let’s be serious about this. Further funding, ministers having multiple meetings, defending what many consider a controversial fan base and exposing a city to trouble is probably excessive.

 

This is a sensible decision. 

I understand what you saying. My long term issue is not the Macabi fans as they will be here and gone for want of a better phrase. I'm more concerned about the resident, violent troublemakers who live here 

[Parafox]

1 minute ago, Foxdiamond said:

I understand what you saying. My long term issue is not the Macabi fans as they will be here and gone for want of a better phrase. I'm more concerned about the resident, violent troublemakers who live here 

 

We've all seen the violence associated with England fans abroad over the years and they rightly got banned, as did the team from international competitions for a while.

 

This fixture should never have been agreed and I don't understand what it's meant to achieve.

 

 

[South Shire Fox]

13 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

I’m making it out like it’s one sided violence ? Says the fella who questioned the “Islamic community” only. Including the 86 year old granny in whatever that community is. Pot kettle black. 
 

Anyway, what I’m quite obviously not getting across is when you remove the emotions, this decision is common sense. Macabi are no angels despite what someone might have suggested in this thread. This isn’t racism. It’s authorities sitting down and applying logic for the better policing for the city at large. 
 

Are Macabi abrasive, abusive, violent - or do they have violent elements that can cause a serious risk - of course. Is there some violent, abusive trouble makers here that can also cause issue - yes. Can any sane person see that this is a situation that can get violent, very quickly ? I mean you’ve got to be idiot to not see both sides have elements to allow that. 
 

Let’s be serious about this. Further funding, ministers having multiple meetings, defending what many consider a controversial fan base and exposing a city to trouble is probably excessive.

 

This is a sensible decision. 

You could say that about 10 plus European clubs as well. But they arent banned from playing in England. Thats the point, they arent being banned because they have a hooligan element. They are being banned because the Police are scared of keeping order between them and the local mob. Hence the original poster saying it will be a blood bath

Edited 17 October 2025 by South Shire Fox

[RobHawk]

Does this mean spurs can't take away fans to villa park? 

[Spudulike]

41 minutes ago, South Shire Fox said:

Are they any worse then any other club who plays in European competition with a hooligan element like Napoli, Roma, Frankfurt etc? Or are they banned because the Police cant guarentee their safety from the local mobs? 

That needs to be confirmed by the West Midlands authorities. If it is, as expected, because they can't protect MTA supporters then it has to be played behind closed doors. Clarity is needed as to where the threat is coming from. Sad for AV fans as they most likely won't be involved in trouble. Any violent assailant's need to be dealt with the full force of the law and fast tracked punished in the same way as in the aftermath of the Southport riots. Enough.

[Mickyblueeyes]

4 minutes ago, South Shire Fox said:

You could say that about 10 plus European clubs as well. But they arent banned from playing in England. Thats the point, they arent being banned because they have a hooligan element. They are being banned because the Police are scared of keeping order between them and the local mob 

Yes and for good reason. You can also say Violent elements in fan groups also focus on other fans. This lot went around attacking taxi drivers in Amsterdam. 
 

The decision is sensible. The reaction not so much. 

[Free Falling Foxes]

11 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

I understand what you saying. My long term issue is not the Macabi fans as they will be here and gone for want of a better phrase. I'm more concerned about the resident, violent troublemakers who live here 

Local MP Ayoub Khan, an independent for Birmingham Perry Barr, who campaigned on a pro-Gaza platform in last year's general election, supports the ban - perhaps not surprisingly?

 

He went on to say that his support of the ban is based purely on the polices safety concerns.

He staunchly said, 'We should support our police.

But then he completely undermined this unequivocal support for the police by adding - '.....on this occasion I do'.

Edited 17 October 2025 by Free Falling Foxes

[Clogger_]

3 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

That needs to be confirmed by the West Midlands authorities. If it is, as expected, because they can't protect MTA supporters then it has to be played behind closed doors. Clarity is needed as to where the threat is coming from. Sad for AV fans as they most likely won't be involved in trouble. Any violent assailant's need to be dealt with the full force of the law and fast tracked punished in the same way as in the aftermath of the Southport riots. Enough.

"Enough"... Have you noticed that nothing has happened yet?

[Parafox]

18 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

This is the crucial question. If their fans should be banned because of their behaviour then I understand. If because mobs from outside are the threat then the focus should be on them.  We can't afford to allow mob rule dictate who is allowed to visit. 

It's not mob rule though.

 

Mobs aren't demanding to be allowed to attend. It's 100% political and KS has already said it should go ahead. The man's ignorant of the potential violence. It's inevitable there'll be conflicts. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiUwtnZ86uQAxUPZ0EAHbZ5EBQQFnoECCkQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fworld%2Fuk%2F2025%2F10%2F17%2Fstarmer-calls-for-israeli-soccer-fans-to-be-allowed-at-aston-villa-match%2F&usg=AOvVaw3BuQEoZkb4p0DuG8OxwX2T&opi=89978449

[Foxdiamond]

1 minute ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

Local MP Ayoub Khan, an independent for Birmingham Perry Barr, who campaigned on a pro-Gaza platform in last year's general election, supports the ban - perhaps not surprisingly?

 

He went on to say that his support of the ban is based purely on the polices safety concerns.

He staunchly said, 'We should support our police.

But then he completely undermined this unequivocal support for the police by adding - '.....on this occasion I do'.

Does the MP like moving the goalposts?

[South Shire Fox]

Just now, Mickyblueeyes said:

Yes and for good reason. You can also say Violent elements in fan groups also focus on other fans. This lot went around attacking taxi drivers in Amsterdam. 
 

The decision is sensible. The reaction not so much. 

Mean while in the other corner: 

 

Rachid O, 26, who was given 10 weeks in jail, was found to have taken part in a WhatsApp chat group called Buurthuis2, on which he referred to intended victims as "cowardly" Jews who he would never again get the chance to attack. 

More than 900 people were in the group and the court said the chat had been used to pass on information to "commit violence against people of Jewish descent and/or supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv".

Umutcan A, 24, was also found to have kicked one of the victims several times while taking part in an attack with other men and then kicked another fan on the ground. CCTV footage had shown him attacking several Maccabi fans, as well as grabbing one fan by the throat and seizing his football scarf. 

He had written in messaging groups about a "Jew hunt" but told the trial he did not harbour hatred towards Jews.

 

Both as bad as each other. The Police cannot handle a city with 30 percent of its inhabitants who are Muslim against a team from Israel

[Mickyblueeyes]

3 minutes ago, South Shire Fox said:

Mean while in the other corner: 

 

 

Rachid O, 26, who was given 10 weeks in jail, was found to have taken part in a WhatsApp chat group called Buurthuis2, on which he referred to intended victims as "cowardly" Jews who he would never again get the chance to attack. 

More than 900 people were in the group and the court said the chat had been used to pass on information to "commit violence against people of Jewish descent and/or supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv".

Umutcan A, 24, was also found to have kicked one of the victims several times while taking part in an attack with other men and then kicked another fan on the ground. CCTV footage had shown him attacking several Maccabi fans, as well as grabbing one fan by the throat and seizing his football scarf. 

He had written in messaging groups about a "Jew hunt" but told the trial he did not harbour hatred towards Jews.

 

Both as bad as each other. The Police cannot handle a city with 30 percent of its inhabitants who are Muslim against a team from Israel

Im not 

getting what you’re trying to prove. On one hand you’re outraged that there is any suggestion that it’s one sided. On the other “the Muslims” “the Muslims” “the Muslims”.

 

To be clear. The “the Muslims” is a collective term to tar a whole group of people from many different countries. It’s the same arsehole move as saying “the Jews.” 
 

to clarify further - there is absolutely a two sided issue here and only a ****ing idiot would think there isn’t.

 

The point is. Macabi, the violent elements, bad. The violent elements here, bad. Is that ok or do you want to generalise some more and then come on a completely different post on a completely different subject and say all shouldn’t be tarred with the same brush ? Although nothing has happened yet ?

 

Will reiterate from a purely policing perspective, this is a sensible decision. The “outrage” is stupid.

[Parafox]

12 minutes ago, South Shire Fox said:

Mean while in the other corner: 

 

 

Rachid O, 26, who was given 10 weeks in jail, was found to have taken part in a WhatsApp chat group called Buurthuis2, on which he referred to intended victims as "cowardly" Jews who he would never again get the chance to attack. 

More than 900 people were in the group and the court said the chat had been used to pass on information to "commit violence against people of Jewish descent and/or supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv".

Umutcan A, 24, was also found to have kicked one of the victims several times while taking part in an attack with other men and then kicked another fan on the ground. CCTV footage had shown him attacking several Maccabi fans, as well as grabbing one fan by the throat and seizing his football scarf. 

He had written in messaging groups about a "Jew hunt" but told the trial he did not harbour hatred towards Jews.

 

Both as bad as each other. The Police cannot handle a city with 30 percent of its inhabitants who are Muslim against a team from Israel

Which is why the whole thing is very badly judged.

 

I've said it already on here but I'll say again, what is the point? What is the justification?

 

Starmer. His ego and his double standards.

Edited 17 October 2025 by Parafox

[Free Falling Foxes]

There was a debate on here recently about what exactly is 'Being British'.

 

They used to say home is where the heart is. Sadly, on too many occasions, 'British citizens' hearts are very much elsewhere.

 

We have the potential problem in Birmingham, primarily because of the recent Gaza situation. We had violence between Muslims and Hindus in Leicester over issues in Pakistan/India. There will be probably more such disturbances in the future too.

 

I despair.