Residents and business owners near Aston Villa's stadium have expressed anxiety ahead of Thursday's Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. More than 700 police officers, along with police horses, dogs and a drone unit, will be deployed amid expected protests, West Midlands police have said.
The match was classified as 'high risk' after police cited violent clashes and hate crime offences during a previous Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam. Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group banned Maccabi fans from attending on public safety grounds, a decision criticised by some as a surrender to antisemitism.
Local streets are adorned with Palestinian flags, and some businesses display posters for a pro-Palestine rally scheduled on the match day. Aston resident Afsar Miah said he would attend the protest, arguing the match should not go ahead due to 'social issues'. Accountant Abul Lase, 50, said there was 'a lot of anxiousness' and that local people oppose the match because of the situation in Palestine.
However, others have condemned the fan ban. Yehuda Fink of Stand With Us UK called it 'shocking and disappointing', and a petition to overturn the ban has garnered over 17,000 signatures. Shah Zaman, a 76-year-old Birmingham resident, said everybody has the right to enjoy the game regardless of nationality. Resident Larissa Shaw, 30, acknowledged the heightened police presence but believed the situation might be worse due to the ban.
Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce said police aim to ensure people can enjoy the fixture while facilitating peaceful protest and maintaining public safety. The match proceeds amid ongoing tensions and a significant security operation.
