Independent MP Ayoub Khan has expressed grave concerns over the safety of his family following what he describes as false accusations by politicians regarding his support for a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. Khan, a key advocate for the West Midlands Police’s decision to bar fans of the Israeli club from attending a November 6 match against Aston Villa in Birmingham, has faced significant backlash from across the political spectrum. Despite a YouGov poll indicating substantial public support for the ban, Khan has been subjected to what he calls ‘vile’ and ‘upsetting’ attacks, particularly targeting his family. In the House of Commons, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy falsely claimed that the ban ‘chooses exclusion’ of Jews, a statement Khan vehemently denounced as a ‘deliberate, disingenuous move’ to conflate policing issues with religion. Khan emphasized that his stance is rooted in concerns over safety and equality, not in any form of discrimination. He pointed to the well-documented history of violence and racism among Maccabi Tel Aviv’s fan base as justification for the ban. Khan’s position has garnered support from various political figures, including Jeremy Corbyn and members of the Green Party and Scottish National Party. However, Muslim independent MPs have been particularly targeted with accusations of ‘sectarianism’ and antisemitism. Khan and his colleagues have called for more measured language and a focus on the safety concerns that prompted the ban. The controversy has sparked a broader debate about the role of political and media figures in shaping public discourse and the potential threats to democratic processes. Maccabi Tel Aviv has since announced it will not sell tickets to its fans for the Birmingham match, citing the ongoing safety concerns.