Maccabi Tel Aviv FC: Away Fans Ban

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Baroness Ludford

Wednesday 22nd October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Ludford (LD)]

My Lords, it seems clear that the main motivation locally was in fact to boycott Israel. None the less, it is necessary to get clear the degree of blame that has been attributed to the fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv. There is an account in the Guardian today which seems seriously distorted. Have the Government got it clear in their own mind, at least for all useful purposes, that while there may well have been bad behaviour, hooliganism and even some racist behaviour by a minority of fans in Amsterdam, the majority of the harm was committed against them and not by them? It is important to capture the picture that the Government have of what happened in Amsterdam, because it has been recycled a lot.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

My understanding of what happened in Amsterdam is as the noble Baroness has just outlined. One of the things that I found most appalling about the decision that was made is that it was based on the risk to fans, primarily. In a country where we manage violence associated with football on a regular basis, we cannot have a situation in which it is the risk to fans which means that those fans themselves are barred from a sporting or other public event.

Sport England: Equality Act 2010

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Baroness Ludford

Monday 19th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The noble Lord is entirely correct that there are some really positive examples of inclusivity in this space. It is for sports bodies to determine the specific policies for all levels of their sports, recognising the need to protect fairness and safety, alongside ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate. The EHRC, as I have already mentioned, will be launching a consultation on its revised code of practice shortly.

[Baroness Ludford (LD)]

My Lords, in 2022, Women in Sport found that more than four in 10 girls who took part in sport in primary school disengaged from sport as teenagers. It is believed that one factor is having male-bodied competitors against them. Some were deterred for reasons of safety and fairness, while others were deterred maybe for religious reasons. Once the Government have secured respect for the Supreme Court ruling in sport, as I hope they will, how will they encourage women and girls to participate in sport again?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

It is really important that we do not tangle up different issues. We want everyone to be able to participate in sport in a way that ensures they feel safe. One of the ways we can do this is by ensuring that young women feel confident about their bodies—a lot of young women do not feel confident about their bodies when they are teenagers. I am keen that we do not tangle up different issues. I am happy to talk to the noble Baroness about this at greater length, should she wish.

European Union

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Baroness Ludford

Monday 7th October 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Ludford (LD)]

My Lords, I am glad that the Minister talked about our relationship with the European Union, which was the subject of the Question, not just with Europe vaguely. While the efforts by Ministers and the Prime Minister to improve the mood music by visiting national capitals is of course good background work, it is noteworthy that, after meeting the Prime Minister, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, in effect, “No cherry picking” —as she did to the previous Government. What is the Government’s strategy to improve our trade and our economy by cutting the Brexit red tape stifling our businesses?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

It is important to recognise that the mood music is hugely important and has been very much welcomed by the EU. The meeting that the Prime Minister held will be followed by further summits and meetings. As I am sure the noble Baroness understands, this is a precursor to making sure we get things moving.