LONDON (AP) – British police said six people were arrested Thursday night ahead of Aston Villa’s Europa League soccer match against Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham. Fans of the Israeli team are not allowed to attend this match.
West Midlands Police, which has deployed more than 700 police officers amid fears of clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups, said a 21-year-old man was arrested for failing to comply with an order to remove his mask, and a 17-year-old boy was arrested for failing to comply with an order to disperse.
Three others were arrested for racially aggravated public order offenses and another for breach of peace.
Before the match, around 200 protesters, including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, gathered near the children’s play park next to the Trinity Road Stand at Villa Park. Amid pro-Gaza chants, Palestinian flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israel were also placed on the ground beside Trinity Road.
About 40 protesters, some carrying Israeli flags and others holding posters that read “Keep anti-Semitism out of football,” gathered on a basketball court near the Doug Ellis Stand to hear from various speakers opposing the ban.
Five vehicles carrying electronic billboards with messages against anti-Semitism also passed through the ground before kick-off.
One message read “No fans, no hate” next to a Star of David, while the other featured a quote from French soccer legend Thierry Henry, who said soccer is not about goals, but brings people together.
The atmosphere became particularly heated when a passerby reportedly waved an Israeli flag and police set up a temporary cordon to prevent a surge of protesters.
The match drew keen attention. Aston Villa won 2-0 in the Premier League after Birmingham authorities decided last month to ban visiting fans. of This decision was widely criticizedHe praised them, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but also others who said Maccabi fans had a history of recent violence.
West Midlands Police said the match was deemed to be a high risk “based on current information and past incidents”, including incidents of violence and hate crimes that occurred when Maccabi Tel Aviv played Ajax. in Amsterdam last season.
The ban comes at a time of growing concern over anti-Semitism in the UK. Deadly attack on Manchester synagogue Last month, Palestinians and their supporters called for a boycott of Israeli sports over the war with Hamas in Gaza. Hopes that the recent ceasefire will ease tensions appear premature.
