Supporters clashed outside Villa Park before the Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv match. Police intervened as objects were thrown and chants exchanged.
There were tense scenes outside Villa Park on Thursday evening as pro-Palestine demonstrators and supporters of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv faced off ahead of the Europa League match.
The clash happened near the Trinity Road Stand, where a group of Aston Villa supporters confronted the protesters. Some Villa fans chanted team slogans, while others were heard backing controversial right-wing activist Tommy Robinson. Police on horseback had to move in when objects began flying between the groups.
Across the road, pro-Palestine supporters waved their flags and chanted “Free Palestine.” A few voices in the crowd shouted more aggressive messages, drawing anger from the opposing side.
West Midlands Police confirmed six arrests were made during the confrontation. The arrests involved: A 21-year-old man for refusing to remove a face covering. A 17-year-old who ignored a police dispersal order. Three individuals facing racially aggravated public order charges.
More than 700 officers were deployed around the stadium, supported by dog units and drones. Authorities also restricted airspace above the stadium due to security concerns.
Pro-Israeli commentator Yoseph Haddad condemned the hostility directed at Israeli supporters.
“We are not in Nazi Germany. It’s 2025 and we will not be silenced,” he said.
On the other side, Naeem Malik, the chair of the West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign, defended the demonstration and called for action against Israel’s participation in international competitions.
“There is genocide in Gaza. They should not be playing while 65,000 Palestinians have been killed,” he stated.
Despite the conflict outside, the game went ahead without disruption inside the stadium. Most Aston Villa fans entered quietly, stressing that football should not be overshadowed by global political tensions.
“It’s not about politics, it’s about football,” one supporter said while heading into the ground.
