Police Action During Europa League Match
On Thursday night, police in Birmingham took action by arresting six individuals in connection with the Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv, a fixture marked by a ban on the Israeli team’s fans. The West Midlands Police, bolstered by a force of over 700 officers for the event, reported that a 21-year-old man was detained for refusing to comply with an order to remove his face mask. Meanwhile, a 17-year-old was arrested for ignoring a dispersal order, along with three others facing charges related to racially aggravated public disorder, and one person for a breach of the peace.
Protests and Demonstrations
In a related development, around 200 demonstrators, including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, gathered in the vicinity of a children’s play area near Villa Park’s Trinity Road. The protest featured Palestinian flags and banners advocating for a boycott of Israel, amid chants supporting Gaza. Tensions escalated when police had to create a barrier to manage the crowd after an individual waved an Israeli flag, which provoked a stronger police presence.
Messages Against Antisemitism
Just before the match, five vehicles carrying electronic billboards displayed messages condemning antisemitism, one of which featured a Star of David alongside a phrase reading “Ban hatred not fans,” paired with a notable quote from famed French footballer Thierry Henry emphasizing the role of football in uniting people rather than merely counting goals.
Controversial Fan Ban
This match’s environment was especially charged following the Birmingham Safety Advisory Group’s controversial decision last month to prohibit visiting fans, a move that drew extensive criticism, including from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Consequently, Maccabi Tel Aviv announced that their supporters would refrain from attending the match.
Concerns About Antisemitism
The fan ban coincides with rising concerns about antisemitism in the UK, exacerbated by a recent violent incident at a synagogue in Manchester and growing calls for sports boycotts against Israel due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The police classified the match as high risk, referencing past incidents of violence and hate crimes, including events linked to Maccabi when they played Ajax in Amsterdam last season.
