Six people were arrested during protests outside Villa Park on Thursday after Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were banned from attending safety matches from going to the SURAOOPA League,
A large pro-Palestinian demonstration took place in the shadow of Asple Villa’s stadium, with protesters calling for the game to be withdrawn and for Israeli teams to be banned from international football.
A small counter-demonstration took place at the far end of the stadium to oppose the ban and to “stand in solidarity with Maccabi fans. As they went to the Stadium, the officials instructed them to hold their protest on a basketball court.
More than 700 police officers attended, along with police dogs, police horses and a drone unit. A section 60 is also in place in parts of Birmingham, which allows officers to stop and search without having reasonable grounds.
West Midlands police said three people were arrested for separate offenses and one for a breach of the peace. A man, 21, was also arrested for failing to comply with an order to remove a face mask and a teenage boy, 17, for failing to comply with an order.
The PRO-Palestine protest outside the Ass Fins Villa Stadium drew large numbers, with speakers including demonstrators Ayoub Khan, that “we will continue to support the Palestinians who were killed.”
Signs were also placed around the stadium that read: “No war games allowed. Zionists not welcome.” In videos posted online, protesters are heard chanting: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Death to the IDF”.
The Guardian also heard an official mention the presence of members of the far right and saw people swearing and encouraging pro-Palestine demonstrators.
Usman Rafiq, a 43-year-old GP and his wife, Uma Hani, a 40-year-old dentist, attended the protest with their three children. Hani said it was to “show solidarity with the people of Palestine” and that Maccabi “shouldn’t be playing in our city”.
“Many people say that sport should not be a part of politics but it is always a part of politics,” Rafiq added.
Asked about the criticism that Maccabi was not treated fairly, Usman said: “This is the kind of hooliganism they show, the waving of Palestinian flags, referring to the incidents in Amsterdam.
Birmingham’s Sigwardy’s Grovisory Advisory Group (Sag) announced the ban on public safety fields in October with 2024 risks to Ajax and Maccabi in Amsterdam.
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The ban sparked controversy with some criticizing it as a surrender to antisemontism. Keir Starmer said the decision was “wrong” and opposition leader Kemi Badenoch branded it a “national disgrace”.
Tension ahead of the match led some schools to close early, Birmingham City Council confirmed, with council staff working or traveling near the stadium asked to explore alternative arrangements. Police also urged people to avoid the area as much as possible.
Counter-demonstrator Jill Chant, 76, said she was “shocked” by the ban and had come to the stadium to “protest against antisemitism and banning Israelis and banning Israelis from going to Birmingham”. Her husband Steven Chant, 76, wore a Maccabi shirt and said that he believes that the ban does not do sectarian politics – to be politically correct “.
Eran Hendler, 57, a hotelier from Tel Aviv and a Maccabi fan, described the ban on fans as “very decisions for the majority, not a “very small” minority.
Hendler, who said he felt safe in Birmingham, said: “Even going to local competitions in Israel, in England, there will be a riot. But most people … want to go to the game.”