Aston Villa reportedly told stewards they could miss Maccabi Tel Aviv match

Club cited possible safety ‘concerns’ after West Midlands police decided to ban Maccabi fans from fixture

Aston Villa told matchday stewards they would not have to work during the club’s Europa League fixture against the Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv, citing possible “concerns” over safety, it has been reported.

West Midlands police decided to ban Maccabi fans from the forthcoming match, after saying the force would not be able to police the fixture safely owing to “violent clashes and hate crime offences” at a previous match in Amsterdam in 2024.

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‘Better than anything’: Tottenham fans toast Europa League win

Supporters gather in north London to celebrate end to football club’s 17-year wait for trophy

For the first time in nearly two decades, a trophy arrived in north London without any red ribbons attached. The streets were a sea of white as thousands of fans descended on the Tottenham Hotspur stadium to celebrate the team’s Europa League triumph.

It was a blissful atmosphere as supporters gathered to toast an end to the club’s 17-year wait for silverware, each one uttering the same seven-letter word: “Finally.”

Frank Hunter had been to Bilbao, not bothering to book a hotel and instead making use of the Basque city’s park benches for sleep as he and his friends endured what he called “the most excruciating experience” of his life. But he said it was all worth it.

“Words can’t describe what it means to see all the boys all together, celebrating – it’s the best day,” said Frank. “To have days like this with your family is unreal. Here’s to many more.”

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Norwegian fan trades five kilos of fish for ticket to Bodø/Glimt v Tottenham

  • Supporter with spare ticket took the bait over offer
  • Around 50,000 supporters vying for just 480 seats

A Norwegian bartered five kilos of semi-dried fish for a ticket to Thursday’s semi-final clash between Bodø/Glimt and Tottenham in the Arctic Circle, as the hosts aim to become the first Norwegian club to reach a European final.

Some 50,000 fans were vying for just 480 remaining tickets to the second leg of Bodø/Glimt’s Europa League semi-final.

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‘Shameful’: Rome mayor dismayed after Lazio thugs attack Real Sociedad fans

  • Nine supporters injured before Europa League tie
  • Victims set upon with clubs, chains, knives and hammers

Nine Real Sociedad football fans were injured, one seriously, in central Rome late on Wednesday, allegedly after being violently attacked by hardcore “ultra” Lazio supporters.

According to reports in Italian media, the Spanish fans were among a group of about 70 allegedly set upon by what appeared to be about 80 Lazio ultras, who were armed with clubs, chains and knives and hammers, outside a pub on Via Leonina in the Monti district of the Italian capital. Security in the city has been upped before the Europa League match at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night.

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‘Victory for Ukraine’: Shakhtar Donetsk have unlikely win in Europa League

Football team that has been exiled from its home ground and endured an exodus of star players pulls off stunning win against Rennes on anniversary of war

Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk have not played in their home city since 2014. The underground car park of their ground in Donbas is being used by the Russians to store weapons. They have endured an exodus of star foreign players, including the sale of star winger Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea last month.

But in a David and Goliath win over French side Rennes, Shakhtar Donetsk have gatecrashed their way into the last 16 of the Europa League.

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