Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv has been sanctioned by UEFA following allegations of discriminatory behaviour by its supporters during a European fixture.
UEFA's Disciplinary Ruling
The Union of European Football Associations has imposed a €20,000 (approximately £17,550) fine on Maccabi Tel Aviv. The governing body's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) issued the penalty in connection with the conduct of the club's fans at an away match.
The incident in question occurred during a Europa League game against German side VfB Stuttgart on 11 December 2025. UEFA stated the punishment was for behaviour it categorised as "racist and/or discriminatory". It is understood the specific infringement related to anti-Arab chanting from sections of the Maccabi support.
Suspended Ban and Previous Controversy
In addition to the financial penalty, UEFA has handed down a suspended one-match away fan ban. This prohibits Maccabi from selling tickets to their supporters for their next UEFA competition away match, but the ban is suspended for a probationary period of two years.
This latest sanction comes shortly after a separate, highly controversial decision to bar Maccabi fans from attending an earlier Europa League match. For safety reasons, the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG), acting on advice from West Midlands Police, prevented the club's supporters from travelling to the game against Aston Villa on 6 November.
That decision sparked significant political backlash. Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelled it "wrong", while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called for a police review. Police chiefs were subsequently called to give evidence on the matter to the Home Affairs Committee of MPs on 1 December.
Broader Context of UEFA Sanctions
The fine against Maccabi Tel Aviv was one of several announced by UEFA's disciplinary body. In a separate case, Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich were fined €116,000 for offences including the blocking of public passageways and the lighting of fireworks.
There has been no immediate public comment from Maccabi Tel Aviv regarding the latest UEFA sanctions concerning the Stuttgart match. The club now faces a two-year probation period where any further similar incidents could trigger the immediate implementation of the away fan ban.
