British authorities are deploying over 700 police officers in Birmingham ahead of Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa League group-stage match against Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, amid fears of protests and potential clashes related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The fixture at Villa Park is set to kick off at 20:00 GMT on Thursday, with law enforcement preparing for disruptions in the city center and surrounding areas.

Heightened Security Measures

Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce of West Midlands Police emphasized that the force has carefully balanced the right to protest with its duty to protect the community. Authorities have warned locals to expect road closures and significant disruption near Villa Park and advised people to avoid the area if possible.

Pro-Palestinian groups, including Game Over Israel, the Hind Rajab Foundation, and Health Workers 4 Palestine, plan to demonstrate against Israel’s participation in football, calling for the country’s removal from FIFA. In the days leading up to the match, Palestinian flags and banners have appeared on bridges above key routes connecting Aston to central Birmingham.

Ban on Maccabi Fans

The decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending the match was announced on October 16 after police raised public safety concerns. Villa Park was deemed a high-risk venue due to prior incidents, including violent clashes when Maccabi played Ajax in Amsterdam last season, which resulted in over 60 arrests.

The move followed widespread protests at Israeli national team matches during FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Italy in October, where law enforcement deployed tear gas to disperse crowds in Oslo and Udine.

Villa has stated that the ban was in accordance with instructions from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which oversees safety certifications for matches, taking into account physical, logistical, and security factors.

Concerns About Maccabi Fans

Football expert Nicholas Blincoe highlighted the risk of violence and racist chants from Maccabi fans, particularly their right-wing ultras, describing them as openly hostile toward Palestinians and Arabs. Blincoe called the potential arrival of Maccabi supporters in Birmingham a “recipe for disaster”, citing challenges with policing the 305 kilometers of train travel from London to Birmingham and the unpredictability of large-scale demonstrations.

Despite criticism from public figures, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled the fan ban a misguided decision, Blincoe defended the police’s extreme caution as necessary to maintain public order.

UEFA Guidelines and Fan Conduct

Aston Villa has urged fans to avoid displaying political messages, symbols, or flags during the match, in line with UEFA regulations prohibiting political statements in stadiums. Violations may result in immediate ejection and stadium bans, emphasizing the importance of separating political demonstrations from football events.

The match is expected to proceed under heightened security, with authorities monitoring both local protests and fan behavior to prevent escalation. The ongoing situation underscores the intersection of sporting events and geopolitical tensions, highlighting the challenges for football clubs hosting controversial international fixtures.