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Police arrested eleven people during heated demonstrations in Birmingham on Thursday night as Aston Villa faced Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in a Europa League match held under tight security.
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters gathered outside Villa Park ahead of kick-off, prompting one of the largest policing operations in recent years. More than 700 officers from West Midlands Police (WMP) and 25 other forces were deployed, supported by horses, dogs, drones, and road units. Despite tensions, the game went ahead without major disorder, with Villa winning 2-0.
WMP confirmed that those arrested were all men and boys aged between 17 and 67. Most were detained for racially aggravated public order offences. Among them were individuals accused of shouting racist abuse towards opposing demonstrators and a police officer. Others were held for offences including possession of drugs, breach of a dispersal order, and refusing to remove a face covering. A 21-year-old was arrested after allegedly trying to throw fireworks into the ground.
Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce said the large police presence was necessary due to several groups planning protests and counter-protests.
"We police football matches a lot. We police protests a lot. We deal with all sorts of public order scenarios, but certainly the level of interest, the level of concern around this match is pretty unprecedented."
He told Sky News that the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans was based on intelligence about violent behaviour.
“I’m aware there’s a lot of commentary around the threat to the (Maccabi) fans being the reason for the decision. To be clear, that was not the primary driver,” he said.
“We have intelligence and information that says that there is a section of Maccabi fans, not all Maccabi fans, but a section who engage in quite significant levels of hooliganism.”
Outside the stadium, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters waved flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israel, while a smaller pro-Israel group displayed electronic billboards with messages such as “Ban hatred not fans.”
Despite fears of violence, only minor scuffles occurred, and the night passed largely peacefully. Inside the stadium, a subdued atmosphere reflected the extraordinary build-up to a match overshadowed by politics, protests, and policing.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Muaaz, Pexels / Ömer Faruk Yıldız
