BIRMINGHAM, UK — November 7, 2025 – British authorities arrested 11 people on Thursday night amid heightened tensions surrounding the Europa League match between Premier League side Aston Villa and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park in Birmingham.

The match, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Aston Villa, was marked by high security, with over 700 officers deployed to prevent clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups. Fans of the visiting Israeli team were banned from attending following concerns over past incidents of violence.

Arrests and Charges

West Midlands Police confirmed that five of those arrested were suspected of racially aggravated offenses, while the remaining six faced charges including breach of peace and failure to comply with police orders. Despite the arrests, police reported no serious incidents during the match.

Protests Outside Villa Park

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the stadium waving Palestinian flags and holding anti-Israel banners. A potential flashpoint occurred when a woman carrying an Israeli flag walked past the crowd, but police quickly escorted her away to prevent escalation.

A smaller pro-Israel counter-protest took place on the opposite side of Villa Park, featuring signs reading “Keep antisemitism out of football” and messages on electronic billboards mounted on vehicles. One display, alongside a Star of David, urged authorities to “Ban hatred not fans,” while another quoted French football legend Thierry Henry, emphasizing that football should unite people rather than divide them.

Context of Fan Ban

The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the match was announced last month and drew mixed reactions. Critics, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, condemned the ban, while others supported it due to Maccabi fans’ history of violence, including incidents during a match in Amsterdam against Ajax last season. Following the controversy, Maccabi declined all away tickets for the Birmingham fixture.

Heightened Security Concerns

Authorities cited ongoing concerns about antisemitism in the UK, particularly after a recent attack on a Manchester synagogue, as well as calls from Palestinian supporters for a sports boycott of Israel over the Gaza conflict. West Midlands Police stated that the match was classified as high-risk based on current intelligence and previous incidents.

Match and Aftermath

Despite the tense atmosphere outside Villa Park, the match proceeded without major disruption, showcasing the effectiveness of the heavy police presence. The arrests and security measures highlight the challenges of managing football events amid politically charged international conflicts and ongoing concerns about racially motivated incidents in the UK.