Major Police Operation Overshadows Villa Park Europa League Clash
West Midlands Police made eleven arrests during a tense night of football and protests as Aston Villa hosted Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham. The Europa League match took place under extraordinary security measures with more than 700 officers deployed amid significant concerns about potential disorder.
Those arrested ranged in age from 17 to 67 and faced a variety of charges that highlighted the volatile atmosphere surrounding the fixture. The offences included shouting racist abuse during a road rage incident near Villa Park, refusing to remove face coverings, and failing to comply with dispersal orders.
Rival Protests Create Tense Atmosphere
Before the match, approximately 200 protesters from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered near the Trinity Road stand, demanding Israel's exclusion from international football. Meanwhile, around 40 counter-protesters assembled on a nearby basketball court, with one carrying an Israeli flag and others holding signs reading "keep antisemitism out of football."
The protests remained largely separate but created a charged environment around the stadium. Five flatbed vehicles drove past the ground displaying electronic billboards with messages opposing antisemitism, adding to the visual spectacle of the demonstrations.
Reverend Tim Gutmann, founder of Christian Action Against Antisemitism, told the pro-Israel crowd he was protesting against "an ancient hate and an ancient evil that hasn't stopped, and has again risen in our time." Holding a placard stating "Never Again Is Now," he emphasised that "we cannot have no-go zones for Israeli football fans."
Controversial Fan Ban Preceded Match
The lead-up to the match was dominated by controversy after Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group, following recommendations from West Midlands Police, banned away supporters from attending. The decision was based on "current intelligence and previous incidents," including an attack on Maccabi fans at an Ajax match last November that resulted in five convictions.
Although the government had pledged to "work around the clock" to ensure both sets of fans could attend, Maccabi Tel Aviv later announced they would decline any away tickets even if the ban was reversed. The club's previous European travels have been marred by incidents, including their fans tearing down Palestinian flags and chanting anti-Arab abuse during other fixtures.
Additional arrests included individuals shouting abuse towards both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrators, shouting racist abuse at a police officer, possessing Class B drugs, and attempting to throw fireworks into the stadium grounds. The diverse nature of the offences demonstrated the multiple security challenges facing officers during the high-risk classification match.
