Copyright birminghammail
More than 700 police officers from ten forces largely ensured peace reigned in Birmingham at the powder-keg clash between Villa and Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv. Hundreds of protestors, most pro-Palestine, descended on Villa Park, joined by a vocal group of pro Israel activists. A group of politically-motivated agitators and bloggers were alongside journalists capturing every move, while largely bemused Villa fans trooped in past lines of police officers and through ticket checks to get into Villa Park for what should have been a European glory night. READ MORE: Aston Villa v Maccabi live as six arrests made after hundreds of protestors fill streets Fears of pitched battles between opposing protestors came to nothing as police kept antagonists apart and quickly snuffed out pockets of trouble. A Section 60 order giving police additional powers to stop and search people was in place. A dispersal order also allowed police to act against anyone who refused to comply with their orders. The police operation at the scene included horses, dogs, a drone unit, roads policing unit, and protest liaison officers, while every entry point into the area on foot, bus, train or car had a heavy officer presence. Nationalist campaigners also showed up as expected. Chants of “Tommy, Tommy Robinson” were heard in response to pro-Palestine chants. By the time the game kicked off just after 8pm here had been six arrests, three for racially aggravated public order offences, one for failing to remove a mask, one for failing to comply with a dispersal order and one for breaching the peace. Inside the ground the glaring absence of away fans made for a muted atmosphere, though Villa fans did their best, chanting ''you've only come to see the Villa" - aimed at no one. But it was the prospect of trouble outside the ground that had triggered the massive police operation, one of the biggest seen in recent times at a football match in the city, and seven times the normal officer presence at a Villa game. READ MORE: Birmingham Jewish leaders condemn 'antisemitic' Villa match ban as PM presses for u-turn Schools and local businesses had closed early in anticipation of potential trouble. Among the fans was Suki D, from Birmingham, who was wearing a joint Villa/Maccabi scarf and carrying a British and Israeli flag. She said: "We don’t need to have politics involved. This is a football game that is played by two different sides and they should be able to take part in a competition safely." Pro-Israeli protestors held up signs saying “keep antisemitism out of football”, “no UEFA ban” and “nowhere is no go" as they took part in one carefully controlled protest. At one point they were coralled into a fenced off playground, triggering a furious reaction as they claimed they were being penned in while pro-Palestinian demonstrators were allowed to 'roam the streets'. One said: "We’re in this steel cage because that’s the only way they can facilitate us. What does that say about this country and the police? Everyone has rights in this country. It’s a sad, sad day for UK that Jewish people are made to feel unsafe and unwelcome.” One young woman waving an Israeli flag was circled by police after she appeared in the midst of protestors waving Palestine flags close to the Trinity Road entrance at one point. The woman stood silently as chants rang out around her. Hundreds joined the pro-Palestine protests, largely centred on the park off Trinity Road, opposite the ground. Speakers pressing for a ban on Israeli national and club sides from all football competitions voiced their views, while music played and flags were waved. Fan Mike Earp, 60, from Yardley , a life long Villa fan, said: “I did feel apprehension about what might unfold. The atmosphere around the ground is nothing like it usually is." Of the police presence he said: "I haven’t seen anything like this since 1970s, when hooliganism was quite rife." Chief Supt Tom Joyce, Birmingham Police Commander, had said of the police operation: "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. "It's about protecting the communities that live in and around Aston Villa, and reassuring those communities who are potentially affected by the match." While the police's action plan on the night appears to have paid off, the ramifications of the original fan ban are set to rumble on. Legal action challenging the grounds for the ban has been launched by a Jewish community organisation, while local Jewish leaders condemned the decision as a 'hammer blow for inclusivity in the city'. Before the game they had condemned the decision to ban Maccabi's fans as 'seriously antisemitic', claiming it signified the city's authorities were not committed to protecting a maligned minority. They said they feared the decision illustrated the powerful influence of local pro-Palestine and anti-Israel politicians and activists. The chief executive of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jack Angelides, had denounced "falsehoods" and hatred being spewed about their supporters. But West Midlands Police had confirmed a history of 'hooliganism' by a section of Maccabi supporters had triggered their decision to recommend a ban.
