Eleven individuals were arrested by British police outside Villa Park ahead of a UEFA Europa League encounter between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 6. The arrests occurred amidst opposing demonstrations by pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli supporters, which escalated into heightened tensions near the stadium.
The fixture, which saw Aston Villa secure a 2-0 victory over the Israeli Premier League side, was held under stringent security measures. Approximately 700 English police officers were deployed around the Birmingham venue to manage the crowds and ensure public safety, particularly as pro-Palestinian groups had publicly announced their intent to protest the presence of Maccabi Tel Aviv on English soil.
Prior to kick-off, a group of around 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in opposition to the Israeli club. In response, a smaller contingent of approximately 40 pro-Israeli counter-protesters emerged, expressing their support for Israel and challenging the opposing demonstration. The situation quickly became volatile, with both groups confronting each other, threatening to erupt into physical altercations before police intervened to separate them. This confrontation ultimately led to the detention of the 11 individuals, as confirmed by Birmingham police authorities.
Among those arrested were a 21-year-old man, apprehended for allegedly attempting to throw a flare towards the opposing group of demonstrators. Other arrests were made on suspicion of drug possession, refusing police requests to remove face coverings, and for unauthorized filming or distribution of images.
Despite the significant unrest outside, the match itself proceeded without interruption inside Villa Park. Observers noted a relatively subdued atmosphere within the stadium, with numerous seats visibly empty. This incident is not isolated; similar tensions and arrests have been reported at matches involving Israeli teams in other European cities. For instance, in a previous incident in Amsterdam, approximately 60 people were arrested during an Ajax versus Maccabi Tel Aviv match, where pro-Palestinian protesters reportedly pursued and assaulted Maccabi supporters, resulting in five individuals requiring hospital treatment. Such events highlight a recurring pattern of protests accompanying Israeli sports teams in recent times.
