Aston Villa-Maccabi Tel Aviv protests live: Marches to be held after political fallout over Israeli club’s fans | OneFootball

Close

Rival fans and police clash in Tel Aviv as Maccabi vs Hapoel football derby called off

Protests are expected in Birmingham this evening in the lead-up to Aston Villa’s Europa League fixture against Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, held at Villa Park.

The game has been dogged by weeks of controversy around the inclusion of Israeli teams in international competition as a result of the Israel-Gaza war.

Away fans have been banned from attending on safety grounds over fears by Birmingham City’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) that the match was “high-risk”. The SAG cited both the context of the Israel-Gaza war and previous “violent clashes and hate crime offences” involving Maccabi fans at a Europa League game in Amsterdam last year, which led to dozens of arrests and five people being imprisoned.

The decision has sparked anger from Sir Keir Starmer and others amid accusations of surrendering to anti-semitism, with the prime minister emphasising that the police should “ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation”.

Campaign group Palestine Solidarity Campaign has announced it will hold a protest at the match to demand Israel be excluded from international football, while a counter-protest is also planned as a “gesture of solidarity” with the Israeli club and fans who have been prevented from attending.

Full statement from Aston Villa

A club statement on 16 October read: “Aston Villa can confirm the club has been informed that no away fans may attend the Uefa Europa League match with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, November 6, following an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group.

“The Safety Advisory Group are responsible for issuing safety certificates for every match at Villa Park, based on a number of physical and safety factors.

“Following a meeting (on Friday) afternoon, the SAG have formally written to the club and Uefa to advise no away fans will be permitted to attend Villa Park for this fixture.

“West Midlands Police have advised the SAG that they have public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night.

“The club are in continuous dialogue with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the local authorities throughout this ongoing process, with the safety of supporters attending the match and the safety of local residents at the forefront of any decision.”

Will there be protests?

There is also a counter-protest planned, with a call for fans to gather as a “gesture of solidarity” with the Maccabi team and fans who have been excluded.

West Midlands Police released a statement on social media on Wednesday confirming that supporters planning to attend the fixture on Thursday night will face “multiple ticket checks on the approach to the stadium”.

Flags and banners installed in the lead-up to the game (REUTERS)

Will there be protests?

Birmingham Police commander Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce confirmed that protests are expected to take place on the day, with a plan “to balance the right to protest with our duty to protect all communities in Birmingham.”

Campaign group Palestine Solidarity Campaign has announced it will hold a protest at the match to demand Israel be excluded from international football due to their actions in Gaza.

The protest will assemble at 6pm at Aston Park Pavilion, a short distance from Villa Park.

Why is the decision to ban fans controversial?

Uefa, European football’s governing body, has told Reuters that competent local authorities are responsible for the decision over fan safety.

Some supporters have reacted negatively to the decision, pointing out it will impact the atmosphere, while Jonny Gould, former director of the Aston Villa Supporters Trust, maintains he “doesn’t want politics in the business of football”.

While a more serious impact from the decision, according to Maccabi Tel Aviv chair Jack Angelides, is how it might set a precedent for how events are handled moving forward.

“To be frank, it’s met with some dismay about what this potentially is signalling,” he told Radio 4’s Today show. “I do think this is an extremely important moment because of what it signifies. I don’t use this term lightly but people ask: ‘What does antisemitism look like?'

“And it’s often manifested as part of a process – a process, in other words, small events leading up to something that’s more.”

People should expect 'significant disruption' on roads around Villa Park

West Midlands Police is running a major operation surrounding tonight's game, with 700 officers being deployed, including a drone unit, police dogs and protest liaison officers.

As a result, Ch Supt Tom Joyce is warning public in the area of disruption on the roads.

He said: “People not attending the event should expect significant disruption to the roads in the area on the evening, and we’d urge people to avoid the area where possible.

“We know protests by different groups will take place on the day, and we have plans in place which balance the right to protest with our duty to protect all communities in Birmingham.

“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.”

Are there any recent examples of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans at away matches that have influenced the decision?

Violent clashes and hate crime offences took place around the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam last year, which the Eredivisie side won 5-0.

Pro-Palestinian supporters and Israeli fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv clashed in the Dutch capital. Amsterdam’s police chief said Maccabi supporters attacked a taxi and set a Palestinian flag on fire the day before the match, as well as chanting anti-Palestinian slogans on matchday. The clashes led to dozens of arrests, while five people were imprisoned.

There have been accusations of antisemitic attacks in the immediate aftermath of the clashes from 6-7 November. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema claimed the incidents caused “a black night and a dark day” for the city, claiming antisemitic “criminals” attacked Jewish visitors and that “it was hit and run”.