Thursday's Europa League Conference match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park was overshadowed by significant protests, resulting in six arrests and a heightened police presence. The game, which kicked off at 8 PM, became a focal point for demonstrations related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, effectively pushing the actual football match into the background.
The controversy stemmed from an earlier decision by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the match, citing public safety concerns. This decision sparked immediate backlash, with figures like Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for the ban to be overturned, insisting it was "the wrong decision". The government also stated they were "working around the clock" to ensure fans from both sides could attend.
In response to the ban and the broader political issues, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) organized a large pro-Palestine protest near Villa Park. Demonstrators called for Israel's exclusion from international football and chanted slogans such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and "Death to the IDF". Ayoub Khan, MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, addressed the crowds, stating that they had come to "support the plight of the Palestinians". Banners and signs with messages like "End the genocide" and "Stop arming Israel" were also displayed. The PSC argued that allowing Israeli football clubs to compete internationally "normalises its atrocities, and sends the signal that there are no consequences for them". They further claimed that the Israel Football Association includes clubs based in illegal Israeli settlements and that Maccabi Tel Aviv had supported the Israeli military.
Counter-protests also took place, with supporters expressing solidarity with Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. Some Maccabi Tel Aviv fans gathered outside Villa Park with a billboard truck displaying the message: "Any kind of hate is not welcome - this is our message. Football unites, hate divides. Antisemitism out of football". Small confrontations reportedly occurred between Aston Villa fans and pro-Palestine protestors. One Aston Villa fan, who is Jewish, told ITV News Central he would not attend the match, stating that the thought of his club being used as a "backdrop to a carnival of hate" would spoil his happy memories.
The protests led to a significant police presence, with over 700 officers deployed. West Midlands Police implemented a Section 60 order, allowing officers to stop and search individuals without needing reasonable grounds. Police directed the protestors to a caged basketball court. Six arrests were made during the demonstrations. Three people were arrested for racially aggravated public order offences, one for breach of the peace, a 21-year-old for failing to remove a face mask when ordered, and a 17-year-old for failing to comply with a dispersal order.
The events surrounding the Aston Villa-Maccabi Tel Aviv match highlight the intersection of sports and politics, demonstrating how international conflicts can manifest within the realm of football.
