How should public authorities assess risk at politically sensitive sporting events, and when is the collective exclusion of supporters justified? In this online seminar, Adam Dickson will discuss the findings of the independent review on the prohibition of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa League fixture with Professor David Hirsh. The report examines the evidence and decision-making behind the ban, assessing it against principles of necessity, proportionality and equality.

The seminar will consider what this case reveals about public-order governance, Jewish participation in public life and the safeguards needed when security decisions affect an entire supporter group.

Adam Dickson is a Doctoral Researcher in Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Durham (United Kingdom). He is a Postgraduate Fellow of the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism, and a Founder Member of the Contemporary Antisemitism Studies Association, where he chairs the antisemitism in sport network.

His research explores antisemitism in English football, with a particular focus on how collective memory, and moral injury shape the experiences of Jewish supporters as they encounter incidents of hate. Drawing on trauma informed perspectives, he examines how antisemitism is experienced, negotiated, and understood within contemporary sporting environments.

Adam is an experienced educator and policy practitioner, holding an MA in Trauma Informed Practice (Education) from Teesside University, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Durham (St Mary’s College). He holds Membership of the Chartered College of Teaching, Qualified Teacher Status, and also has a BA (Hons) in History.