Six Arrested Amid Intense Protests During Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League Match
Six people were arrested outside Villa Park in Birmingham as Aston Villa hosted Maccabi Tel Aviv in a Europa League match marked by intense political protests.
November 7, 2025 - 03:30 AM ET • 2 min read
A massive security operation was deployed in Birmingham, England, on Thursday as Aston Villa hosted Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv in a UEFA Europa League group-stage match, which was overshadowed by high political tension and clashes between demonstrators.
West Midlands Police deployed more than 700 officers, along with drones and dogs, around Villa Park and surrounding areas in anticipation of potential violence. Authorities confirmed that six people were arrested following clashes outside the stadium.
The security presence was necessary to manage significant protests related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Police were tasked with keeping apart three distinct and energetic factions outside the venue: pro-Palestine demonstrators, pro-Israeli counter-protesters, and a third group described as pro-YouTubers or content warriors, who reportedly acted as a mobile element between the main encampments. Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce of West Midlands police had warned the public that those not attending the event should expect "significant disruption" to roads in the area.
The match itself, which kicked off at 20:00 GMT, took place in an atmosphere described by observers as fraught, tense, and profoundly unsettling. The fixture was considered high-risk due to the difficulties Israeli teams have faced traveling across Europe since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas, which has included reports of antisemitic acts and attacks on fans at other events.
In the weeks leading up to the fixture, local Birmingham politics had intervened, and Aston Villa had made the decision three weeks prior to bar traveling Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending the match due to threats of violence. This decision was part of the extensive measures taken to mitigate potential security risks surrounding the event. Despite the heavy police presence, the convergence of political activism and football created a night of toxicity and tension outside the stadium.