Six arrested amid protests ahead of Maccabi Tel Aviv versus Aston Villa game

Police have arrested six ahead of the Maccabi Tel Aviv football match against Aston Villa.

The lead-up to the Europa League match has been dominated by controversy and security concerns, leading to a ban on away supporters and large pro-Palestinian protests.

Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group announced last month that visiting fans would be barred from attending tonight's game following public safety concerns.

The government said it would "work around the clock" to ensure both sides could attend - but Maccabi later announced it would decline any away tickets for the clash even if the ban was reversed.

Tonight, West Midlands Police said it had arrested a man, 21, for failing to comply with an order to remove a face mask, a boy, 17, for failing to comply with a dispersal order and three people for racially aggravated public order offences.

A further person was arrested for a breach of the peace.

"An ancient hate"

Around 40 protesters, one carrying an Israeli flag, and others carrying posters saying "keep antisemitism out of football" gathered on a basketball court on Witton Lane, close to the Doug Ellis Stand, to hear various speakers oppose the ban on Maccabi fans.

The Revd Tim Gutmann, founder of Christian Action Against Antisemitism, told the crowd the protest was against "an ancient hate and an ancient evil that hasn't stopped, and has again risen in our time."

Read more:

Why were Maccabi Tel Aviv fans banned?

Holding up a placard saying "Never Again Is Now", he added: "As a Christian it's important for me to be here to show that we stand with our fight and stop the hate.

"These are huge moments for a nation. We cannot have no-go zones for Israeli football fans. We can't have no-go zones for Jewish people."

Five flatbed vehicles were driven past the ground prior to kick-off of the Europa League match, 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.

West Midlands Police had classified the Europa League match "high risk" and said the ban on the Maccabi fans was necessary due to "current intelligence and previous incidents".

That was a reference to Maccabi's match at Ajax last November when their fans were attacked by locals, leading to five convictions.

No Maccabi fans were prosecuted. They were seen tearing down Palestinian flags and chanting anti-Arab abuse.

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