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Government chiefs have given their strongest indication yet that the ban on fans from Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv for the Europa League match against Villa will be overturned and the game will go ahead as planned in front of both sets of supporters.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the House of Commons this afternoon, Monday October 20, that the decision to 'exclude fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv' was wrong and 'every resource' would be made available to ensure they are welcomed.

But she said that 'bad faith' outsiders who might seek to visit Birmingham to 'create strife' would not be welcome.

Talks are under way between the government and West Midlands police and Birmingham city council to ensure people were not excluded from attending the game on November 6 'because

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