LONDON (AP) – On Friday, British police reported that 11 individuals were arrested in connection with the well-publicized Europa League soccer match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham. Notably, fans from the Israeli team had been prohibited from attending the game the evening before.
According to an update from West Midlands Police, five of those taken into custody were suspected of racially aggravated offenses, while the other arrests involved noncompliance with police orders and disturbances of the peace.
To manage potential unrest, over 700 officers were stationed around Villa Park Stadium due to fears of clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators.
While tensions were palpable ahead of the match, fortunately, no significant incidents occurred.
A pro-Palestinian demonstration happened outside the stadium before kickoff, with numerous protesters displaying Palestinian flags and anti-Israel signs. A moment of heightened tension arose when a woman carrying an Israeli flag walked by, but police quickly intervened to prevent any escalation.
Simultaneously, anti-Israel counter-protests unfolded on another side of Villa Park, featuring signs that called for “Eliminating anti-Semitism from football.” Five vehicles were present displaying electronic billboards promoting messages against anti-Semitism, including one that asserted “No fans, no hate,” next to a Star of David, and another featured a quote from renowned French soccer player Thierry Henry, emphasizing that soccer is about unity rather than just scoring goals.
The match concluded with Aston Villa triumphing over Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0. Interest had peaked last month when Birmingham authorities opted to bar visiting fans due to safety concerns—a decision that drew criticism, even from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. However, some supported the decision, citing the violent history of Maccabi fans.
West Midlands Police classified the match as high risk due to previous violent incidents and hate crimes involving Maccabi Tel Aviv, including during their past game against Ajax in Amsterdam.
In response to the commotion, Maccabi announced they would be refraining from selling tickets for upcoming away matches. This ban coincides with rising apprehension about anti-Semitism in Britain, following a recent attack on a synagogue in Manchester, and increasing demands for a boycott of Israeli sports amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Any optimism regarding a ceasefire seems, for now, a bit premature.
