Tight UK Security Ahead of Match Featuring Israeli Club Maccabi Tel Aviv
Over 700 police officers were deployed throughout Birmingham on Thursday due to planned protests surrounding the football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa. Israeli fans were barred from attending the game.
Last month, the UK government promised to lift the ban on Maccabi fans attending the Europa League match in Birmingham, a city with a significant Muslim population. This decision faced strong criticism from local safety advisors and police.
However, the Israeli club later announced it would not accept any tickets for its supporters, citing concerns over their safety. Aston Villa confirmed they were not selling tickets for the away section of Villa Park stadium.
Birmingham, the UK’s second-largest city, has experienced regular pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the past two years. Local police reported that several groups planned protests near Villa Park on match day.
- A pro-Palestinian rally demanded Israel's exclusion from international football.
- A pro-Israeli group organized a Maccabi Solidarity Rally.
Both protests were scheduled to begin around 6:00 pm (1800 GMT), two hours before kickoff, under a heavy police presence.
"For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app."
Author's summary: Heightened security measures were implemented in Birmingham ahead of the Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Aston Villa match amid protests and fan bans, highlighting ongoing tensions in the city.