Maccabi TLV loses Europa League soccer match its fans were barred from attending in UK

2-0 Aston Villa win unfolds under tight security in Birmingham; police arrest 6 at anti-Israel demonstration outside stadium as counter-protest features ‘keep antisemitism out of football’ sign

Aston Villa defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0 in a Europa League soccer match played on Thursday under tight security in Birmingham, central England, with visiting Israeli fans barred.

Ian Maatsen gave Villa the lead in first-half stoppage time, steering the ball in from a tight angle. Donyell Malen then sealed the result from the penalty spot a minute before the hour mark after Elad Madmon had fouled Ezri Konsa.

More than 700 police were deployed across Birmingham as some 200 pro-Palestinian and a few dozen pro-Israel protesters held separate demonstrations outside Villa Park stadium in the run-up to kick-off.

Police made six arrests. They said a 21-year-old man was arrested for failing to comply with an order to remove a face mask, while a 17-year-old boy was arrested for failing to comply with a dispersal order. Three others were arrested for racially aggravated public order offenses and another for breach of the peace.

Before the match, around 200 protesters, including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, gathered near a children’s playground adjacent to Villa Park’s Trinity Road stand. Palestinian flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israel had also been placed on the ground beside Trinity Road amid “Free Palestine” and pro-Gaza chants.

Around 40 protesters, one carrying an Israeli flag, and others carrying posters saying “keep antisemitism out of football,” also gathered on a basketball court close to the Doug Ellis Stand to hear various speakers opposing the ban. Police escorted them away shortly before the match kicked off at 8:00 pm local time.

Five vehicles were also driven past the ground before kick-off, carrying electronic billboards showing messages opposing antisemitism.

One of the messages, beside a Star of David, read “Ban hatred not fans,” while another carried a quote from French soccer legend Thierry Henry saying football is not about goals but bringing people together.

The atmosphere became particularly heated when police officers briefly formed a cordon to prevent a surge of protesters after an Israeli flag was reportedly waved by a passerby.

Villa announced last month that no Maccabi fans would be allowed at the match following a police risk assessment.

The decision sparked criticism, including from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who set about trying to reverse the move, but the Israeli club later announced it would decline tickets for its fans anyway, citing safety concerns.

Birmingham, the UK’s second-largest city and home to a significant Muslim population, has been the scene of regular pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel rallies over the last two years.

Police classified Thursday’s fixture as “high risk,” citing “violent clashes and hate crime offences” during a Europa League match in Amsterdam between Maccabi and local team Ajax last November.

There was a large visible police presence outside Villa Park, with officers wearing protective padding and carrying riot helmets. Police horses were also deployed.

“We are experienced at policing high-profile football matches and demonstrations, and for many weeks now, we have been working closely with different faith and local community groups to listen to their views and concerns,” West Midlands Police said.

Signs were hung near the stadium reading “no war games allowed” and “Give Zionism the Red Card,” while channels spearheaded by far-right activist Tommy Robinson had made Islamophobic statements about the match and planned protests.

Maccabi Tel Aviv has criticized “hate-filled falsehoods” about its supporters.

Ayoub Khan, the independent MP for the area covering Villa Park, who was elected last year on a pro-Palestinian ticket, said there was a “large concentration of Muslims” in the local area who had voiced fears about racism.

Aston Villa urged supporters not to display political symbols during the match — a practice banned under protocols issued by UEFA, the governing body of European football.