THE councillor at the centre of the Israeli football fans ban is a friend of the favourite to be Labour’s next deputy leader.
Waseem Zaffar is campaigning for Lucy Powell to become Sir Keir Starmer’s No2 and presented her with a birthday cake covered in hearts just days ago.
The Sun on Sunday can also reveal that Mr Zaffar stepped down as Birmingham Council’s equalities chief in 2017 after allegations he tried to pressure a school into letting a four-year-old girl wear a hijab.
Last night, Labour faced fresh calls to strip the Birmingham Labour councillor of the party whip.
Last week, Mr Zaffar boasted of being on a board that banned Maccabi Tel Aviv fans going to Aston Villa for a Europa League match next month.
Just days before, he was at a birthday-themed campaign event for Ms Powell.
Footage shows him leading supporters in chants of “Brummies for Lucy”.
He also joked: “I’m supporting Lucy Powell — not just because her husband’s a Villa fan — but because she is the best candidate.”
Ms Powell posted photos of the cake on X.
News of the fans ban broke on Thursday, sparking a huge political row.
It has been condemned by Sir Keir, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage.
Mr Zaffar — who sits on a council board which advises on football match safety — said their decision meant “fans of the Israeli team will not be admitted”.
He previously said he would boycott the match because of his opposition to Israel.
Last night, a spokesman for Ms Powell would not comment on the ban.
But her spokesman said: “Lucy totally disagrees with comments that children should be forced to wear a veil.”
The Government’s former adviser on political violence John Woodcock — known as Lord Walney — called for Mr Zaffar to be kicked out of Labour over the fan ban.
He said: “Labour needs to show the country it has turned a page on the days when its members could display shameful antisemitism.
“That must start with laying down the law over this Aston Villa debacle.
“No one who endorses this disgusting attempt to ban Jewish supporters from Birmingham should be allowed to stay in the party.”
Mr Zaffar did not respond to requests for comment.
A Labour spokesman said: “Everyone should be able to attend a match without fear of violence or intimidation — regardless of their religion, nationality or background.
“The Prime Minister has made it clear that the Labour government thinks this is the wrong decision.”
