Large Police Presence for Villa Park Match Against Maccabi Tel Aviv

More than 700 police personnel will be assigned to maintain public safety during the Europa League matchup between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday.

Disruptions for Local Residents

Residents in the vicinity of Villa Park have been alerted to potential significant disturbances related to the match’s security arrangements. Initially, supporters of the Israeli team were prohibited from attending, but Maccabi opted not to utilize their ticket allocation, citing safety concerns.

Protests and Law Enforcement Warnings

Pro-Palestinian organizations have urged for the cancellation of the game, and with demonstrations planned, senior officials from West Midlands Police have issued warnings regarding public conduct.

Birmingham’s police commander, Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce, stated, “Individuals violating the law will be confronted, as will those who promote hate.”

“We have collaborated closely with partners, including Birmingham City Council, Aston Villa Football Club, and other emergency services to implement a comprehensive policing strategy for this event,” Joyce continued.

“We anticipate a considerable presence of uniformed officers, supported by police horses, dogs, our drone unit, road patrol units, and protest liaison officers, among others. Our commitment to delivering excellent policing services across the West Midlands will remain intact.”

Plans for Protests

Joyce highlighted, “We are aware of planned protests from various groups on the day of the match. We have devised strategies to balance the right to protest with our responsibility to safeguard all communities in Birmingham.”

“Our experience in managing high-profile football matches and demonstrations has been applied here, as we have engaged with different faith groups and local organizations for weeks to address their concerns and perspectives.”

“Our primary aim for this match is to ensure that everyone can enjoy the football while we work to keep Birmingham safe, facilitate peaceful protests, and uphold public order.”

Safety Advisory Group’s Decision

The Safety Advisory Group (SAG), tasked with issuing safety certificates for all events at Villa Park, decided against permitting away fans to attend the game based on a risk assessment from West Midlands Police. This decision faced criticism from various political figures, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Later, Maccabi Tel Aviv announced their intent to forgo their ticket allocation due to the “toxic atmosphere” that resulted from the initial restrictions.