No 10 says talks happening ‘at pace’ across government to lift ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending Aston Villa match – as it happened

The article discusses the UK government's talks to potentially lift the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending an Aston Villa match next month. The ban was initially imposed due to safety concerns, but Zarah Sultana and other members of the Independent Alliance in parliament have defended the decision on moral grounds, arguing that Israeli teams should not be competing in international sport due to Israel's treatment of Palestinians. The article highlights two distinct issues: the safety aspect, where the police may not have the resources to ensure the safety of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, and the moral argument that Maccabi Tel Aviv should not be participating in international competitions at all, drawing comparisons to the boycott of apartheid South Africa in the Olympics. The article suggests that the talks are ongoing within the government to address this situation, as the government seeks to find a resolution to the matter.