A significant police operation involving more than 700 officers unfolded in Birmingham on Thursday night as eleven individuals were arrested during protests surrounding Aston Villa's Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
A Night of Tension and Arrests
The West Midlands Police had classified the fixture as high-risk, leading to a massive security presence around Villa Park. The arrests, all of men and boys aged between 17 and 67, were made for a wide range of offences.
These included shouting racist abuse during a road rage incident near the stadium and at a police officer, refusing to remove a face covering, and failing to comply with a dispersal order. Additional arrests were made for individuals shouting abuse towards both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrators, attempting to throw fireworks into the ground, and possession of Class B drugs.
Controversial Lead-Up and Fan Ban
The build-up to the match was dominated by controversy and security concerns. Acting on a recommendation from West Midlands Police, Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group, led by Birmingham City Council, imposed a ban on away supporters.
This decision was informed by current intelligence and previous incidents, including an attack on Maccabi fans at an Ajax match last November which resulted in five convictions. Although the UK government stated it would work to ensure both sets of fans could attend, Maccabi Tel Aviv later announced it would decline any ticket allocation even if the ban was reversed.
Protests Erupt Outside the Ground
Prior to kick-off, the tense atmosphere materialised into separate protests. Approximately 200 protesters, including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, gathered near the Trinity Road stand, demanding Israel's exclusion from international football.
Meanwhile, a smaller group of around 40 pro-Israel demonstrators assembled on a nearby basketball court. They carried posters with messages such as "keep antisemitism out of football" and "Ban hatred not fans".
Revd Tim Gutmann, founder of Christian Action Against Antisemitism, addressed this crowd, describing his protest as being against "an ancient hate and an ancient evil". He emphasised that there should be no-go zones for Jewish football fans.
Adding to the scene, five flatbed trucks drove past the stadium displaying electronic billboards with messages opposing antisemitism, underscoring the deeply charged nature of the event.
Aftermath and Policing Response
The major police operation, while unable to prevent all incidents, resulted in the eleven arrests and managed the competing demonstrations. The force had been on high alert given the potential for disorder linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the history associated with Maccabi Tel Aviv's European fixtures.
The decision to ban away fans had been criticised by some, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, but authorities maintained it was a necessary measure for public safety on a challenging and volatile night for football in Birmingham.
