Maccabi Tel Aviv: Birmingham schools to close early ahead of 'high risk' game

Schools in Birmingham have confirmed they'll be closing early ahead of the game between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv - despite a huge policing operation and contingencies being put in place

A number of schools in Birmingham are closing early ahead of the Aston Villa versus Maccabi Tel Aviv match.

The Europa League tie at Villa Park this evening has been categorised by West Midlands Police as "high risk" following a "thorough" assessment based on past incidents. Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were last month banned from attending the game due to safety concerns, a move immediately criticised by politicians, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Five protest groups, representing both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups, are set to attend this evening along with around 700 police officers to keep football fans and locals safe.

Protests are expected amid mounting international criticism of Israel over the soaring death toll in Gaza. UEFA and world body FIFA have faced growing calls to ban Israel's national teams and club sides from international competitions, while UN advisory experts have called on sporting sanctions after a UN commission of inquiry said Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Despite the massive policing operation, schools in Birmingham are set to shut early. Mansfield Green E-ACT Primary Academy is among those closing their gates early. The school, located just over half-a-mile from Villa Park, will send pupils home at 2pm rather than its usual closing time of 3:15pm.

In a message send out to parents ahead of the match, the school said: "Good morning, due to the Villa match tomorrow November 6, the school will be closing early. The gates will be open for you to collect your children at 2pm. Thank you."

Another school reportedly closing early is BOA Creative, Digital and Performing Arts Academy, according to the Daily Telegraph. It is believed the school plans to close its gates at 1:15pm and the principal is said to have emailed parents telling them a number of schools in the area would be closing early due to the planned protests.

Former Labour MP, Lord Ian Austin, called the move to close schools early a "disgrace". Posting to X, he said: "Local politicians and community leaders should be doing everything they can to improve education in areas like Aston and Lozells. Not inflaming tensions and calling for boycotts, bans and protests that result in schools being closed early. What a disgrace."

A spokeswoman from E-ACT Mansfield Green Academy said: "Following advice from the local authority regarding possible congestion and local disruption, E-ACT Mansfield Green Academy will close 1 hour 15 minutes early on Thursday, 6 November. Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of all pupils.

"Other schools in the area are taking similar precautions, and we thank parents and carers for their understanding."