Aston Villa Vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv: Police Arrest 11 People In Match

West Midlands Police while securing the Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv match (Instagram/@westmidlandspolice).

JAKARTA - West Midlands Police said they had arrested 11 people as part of their operations in the Europa League match between Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham on Friday, November 7, 2025, early in the morning WIB, which took place without serious incidents.

The league phase match at Villa Park, which the hosts won with a score of 2-0, became a major political event after the Israeli club's supporters were barred from attending for fear of their safety.

Launching ESPN, the local police, who deployed more than 700 officers due to fears of clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups, said a 21-year-old man was arrested for disobeying orders to remove the face covering.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old boy was arrested for disobeying the disbandment order.

Five other people were arrested for racially nuanced public order abuses, a 21-year-old after trying to throw flares into the field, and another person suspected of possessing drugs with the intention of supplying them.

Prior to the match, about 200 protesters, including members of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, gathered near the children's playground next to the Villa Park stands at Trinity Road.

Palestinian flags and banners calling for Israeli boycotts have also been flown in the field, alongside Trinity Road in the middle of pro-Gaza singing.

About 40 protesters, one person carried the Israeli flag and the other carried a poster that read 'Keep Antisemitism Away from Football' also gathered at a basketball court near Tribune Doug Ellis to hear various speakers who opposed the ban.

Five vehicles were driven over the field before the kick-off, carrying electronic billboards featuring messages against antisemitism.

One of the messages, next to Bintang Daud, reads 'Prohibited Hate, Not Supporters' while the other contains quotes from French football legend Thierry Henry, who says football is not about goals, but brings people together.

The atmosphere became even hotter when police officers had formed ranks to prevent a spike in protesters after the Israeli flag was reportedly flown by a pedestrian.

"Our officers are supported by officers from all over the country as part of mutual assistance. This is clearly one of the most controversial matches we have held for some time, but our priority, it's clear, is public safety."

"It's about protecting people living inside and around Aston Villa and convincing people potentially affected by the game," said Chief Inspector Tom Joyce, Birmingham Police Commander.

Aston Villa has implemented a strict ticket policy, which only allows people with a previous purchase history to buy it.

The supporters were also warned not to display flags or political banners according to UEFA regulations, a request that was fully complied with.

The friendship between the two teams took place before football when stadium broadcasters appealed to Aston Villa fans to warmly welcome their guests, while The Villans came out with a mascot wearing Maccabi uniforms.

The absence of away fans was demonstrated by the large number of vacant seats on the Doug Ellis Tribune, but fears of riots at the stadium soon passed.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was relatively calm when Aston Villa won, which helped them hope to qualify straight into the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Goals from the Dutch duo, Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen, confirmed a 2-0 victory.

The match became a sharp spotlight after officials in Birmingham decided last month to ban visitors.

The decision was widely criticized, including by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but was praised by another party, who said Maccabi's supporters had a recent history of violence.

West Midlands police say they consider the match to be at high risk based on the latest intelligence and previous incidents, including the violence and hate crimes that occurred when Maccabi Tel Aviv fought Ajax in Amsterdam last season.

The ban comes amid growing concerns about antisemitism in Britain following a deadly attack on a synagoge in Manchester last month as well as calls from Palestinians and their supporters to boycott Israeli sports over the war against Hamas in Gaza.

The hope that the recent ceasefire would ease tensions seems too early.

List Of People Arrested In Aston Villa Vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Match