Birmingham sees Maccabi-Villa demos amid ‘unprecedented’ policing

Phil Mackie,Midlands reporter And

Tanya Gupta,West Midlands

PA Media A line of police officers, all wearing high-visibility vests, walk in a line along the street. Several protest banners can be seen in the background. — Police forces from across the country were called in as protesters gathered outside the stadium

Hundreds of protesters descended on Birmingham ahead of Aston Villa’s controversial match against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

A major police operation involving more than 700 police officers, dogs, horses and drones is underway for the UEFA Europa League match, which will start at 20.00 GMT.

Chief Supt Tom Joyce said many groups, including pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel campaigners, were expected to protest following the attack. Controversial decision to remove fans from the game.

“We police football matches a lot. We police protests a lot. We deal with all kinds of public order scenarios, but certainly the level of interest and concern around this game is quite unprecedented,” he said.

Police arrested six people before the match started; three on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences.

A 21-year-old man was arrested for disobeying an order to remove his face mask, and a 17-year-old boy was detained for disobeying an order to distribute it. Another person was arrested for disturbing the peace.

Pro-Israel supporters gather outside Villa Park

Reuters Pro Israel fans are escorted into Villa Park, home of Aston Villa, by police officers ahead of a UEFA Europa League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. — Pro-Israel supporters gather outside Villa Park

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in front of the stadium, waving flags and banners calling for an end to the violence in Gaza.

A counter-protest by pro-Israel campaigners marched on a road outside Villa Park. Five flatbed vehicles carrying electronic billboards bearing messages against anti-Semitism were also driven from the ground before kick-off of the Europa League match.

One of the messages read “Ban hate, not the fans” next to the Star of David, while another had a quote from Thierry Henry saying football is about bringing people together, not about scoring goals.

Before the match, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in front of the stadium.

Reuters Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the stadium before the match. A man in a hi-vis jacket has a speaker. The group carries flags. — Before the match, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in front of the stadium.

The team bus arrived a few hours before kick-off

PA Media Aston Villa team bus arrives at Villa Park, Birmingham, ahead of the UEFA Europa League match. It's dark outside and the bus lights are on in front of the illuminated stadium. The sign says Aston Villa Team Coach. — The team bus arrived a few hours before kick-off

At least half a dozen groups were expected to protest

PA Media Pro-Palestinian campaigners hold a demonstration outside Villa Park. Many are carrying and waving flags. There is a banner like this "Stop arming Israel". The stadium building is behind them and the lights are on inside. — At least half a dozen groups were expected to protest

On Thursday, the number of officers from the West Midlands force was augmented by officers from 10 forces across the country.

Birmingham police commander Ch Supt Joyce said police were prepared in case people turned up to start a fight.

“We recognize that groups who disagree with this are likely coming out for different reasons than those who want to legally protest,” he said.

“The police operation you saw is partly a reflection of the need to deal with this.”

He told Sky News: “Significant level of hooliganism” among Maccabi fan base This was the reason for the ban.

Police are using Section 60 powers, which allow officers to stop and search anyone, in the area stretching from Aston and Perry Barr to Birmingham New Street and the city centre, starting at midday and continuing until 3am on Friday.

Police are working to keep about half a dozen groups away from each other

PA Media A woman named Emily, carrying an Israeli flag, is being led away by police officers from pro-Palestinian campaigners protesting on Trinty Road outside Villa Park. — Police are working to keep about half a dozen groups away from each other

Villa fan Adam Selway came to the match wearing a half-and-half scarf in the colors of the home team and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The 48-year-old player said that he sympathized with the fans not being able to attend the match and that he just wanted to watch the football match, but did not make any political statements.

“This isn’t about politics, it’s about football,” he said. “It’s not the Villa fans who don’t want anyone here; it’s the Villa fans who want the away fans to be here.”

Those who previously lived and worked in the city near Villa Park saw stores and schools close early.

Meanwhile, Jewish Villa fan Elliot Ludvig spoke about his concerns about attending the match.

Mr Ludvig, who went to the match with his son, told the BBC: “I’m worried about what’s going to happen. First of all, I’m worried about the potential for violence.”

“I am concerned about the various unpleasantries we may encounter along the way, both outside and inside the stadium.”

More than 700 police officers are on duty in the city for the match, which has been causing controversy for weeks.

EPA Police officers have joined forces from across the country and are gathering here outside the Aston Villa ground. — More than 700 police officers are on duty in the city for the match, which has been causing controversy for weeks.

‘Football unites us’

He said his other important feeling was “disappointment”.

“Is it worth going to a football game to potentially put myself at risk or expose my son to all sorts of unpleasantness that you don’t want?” he asked.

Among those calling for calm was fan group Punjabi Villans, who urged people to respect each other and for everyone to return home safely. post on social media: “We’re in this together. Football unites us.”

Elliot Ludvig says he’s worried and disappointed

Elliot Ludvig sits at home with a bookshelf and pictures behind him. He is wearing a light blue shirt and his Villa supporters' shirt is on a chair next to him. He looks at the camera with a worried expression. — Elliot Ludvig says he’s worried and disappointed

On Wednesday night, Maccabi Tel Aviv chief executive Jack Angelides said it was “incredibly sad” that his fans could not be there, adding: “Politics should not be drawn into football“

While protest plans were being prepared at the beginning of the week, Naeem Malik, chairman of the West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said the protests were taking place. National outrage over hosting of Israeli team.

“Calls to cancel this match have been ignored despite the risks it poses, so we must call on activists to unite to protest this match,” he said.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Stop the War Coalition, the Muslim Association of Britain, the Friends of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Kashmir solidarity campaign and the Palestine Forum in the UK jointly organized one of the protests, calling for the match to be cancelled.