Missiles were allegedly thrown at West Midlands Police officers near Villa Park last night where Aston Villa played Maccabi Tel Aviv, a match to which away supporters were banned
Eleven people — including a child — were arrested last night following protests around Villa Park where Aston Villa played Maccabi Tel Aviv, police confirmed.
West Midlands Constabulary said in its latest update the suspects were mostly detained for racism offences near the ground, which hosted the Europa League clash.
Around 200 protesters — including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, gathered near Villa Park’s Trinity Road Stand — before the match to demand Israel is excluded from international football. Palestinian flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israel were placed on the ground beside Trinity Road amid pro-Palestinian chants.
But eleven people were arrested amid the tensions, including a 17-year-old boy who police say was issued with a dispersal order but refused to leave. A 21-year-old man tried to throw fireworks into the ground, West Midlands Constabulary added. It was also reported missiles were thrown at officers.
Hundreds of extra officers were on duty in Birmingham on Thursday night. Chief Supt Tom Joyce, Birmingham Police Commander, said: “Our officers are being supported by officers from up and down the country as part of mutual aid. This has definitely been one of the most contentious and controversial matches we’ve hosted for some time, but our priority, really clearly, is public safety.”
Five flatbed vehicles were driven past the ground prior to kick-off carrying electronic billboards showing messages opposing antisemitism.
One of the messages, beside a Star of David, read “Ban hatred not fans” while another carried a quote from Thierry Henry saying football is not about goals but bringing people together.
But while violence did not happen, confrontations occurred and police made the 11 arrests. These were;
- A 63-year-old man arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence after he was heard shouting racist abuse during a road rage incident near Villa Park
- A 21-year-old man arrested after refusing to remove a face covering while a Section 60 order was in place
- A 17-year-old who was issued with a dispersal order but refused to leave
- A 34-year-old arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators
- A 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators. He was also arrested for possession of class B drugs
- A 67-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse at a police officer
- A 32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse towards a pro-Palestine group
- A man aged 21 arrested after trying to throw fireworks into the ground
- A man arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.
West Midlands Police stress it understands the right to protests but had to ensure members of the public in and around Villa Park were safe. Unai Emery’s side, currently bottom half of the Premier League, laboured to a 2-0 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
