âť“WHAT HAPPENED: English professional soccer team Aston Villa secured a Europa League victory over Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv amidst anti-Semitic demonstrations outside the former’s Villa Park stadium.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Aston Villa, Maccabi Tel Aviv, pro-Israel and anti-Israel demonstrators, and local officials, including Member of Parliament (MP) Ayoub Khan.
đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: November 2025, Villa Park in Birmingham, England.
🎯IMPACT: Police herded protestors against a ban on Maccabi fans attending the game into a fenced basketball court, dubbed a “Jew cage” by observers.
English professional soccer team Aston Villa’s 2-0 Europa League victory over Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv was overshadowed by protests and heightened security outside the former’s Villa Park stadium. The match took place amid growing tensions linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict, with some pro-Israel and many predominantly Muslim anti-Israel demonstrators gathering near the stadium. Law enforcement deployed around 700 officers from ten police forces to prevent unrest.
Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were barred from attending after Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group ruled that their presence could pose security risks. The decision drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum, with even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying it sent the wrong message about the ability of police to protect all supporters. Notably, Birmingham is a major Muslim population center, with Pakistani-heritage residents being prone to rioting.
Outside the stadium, predominantly Muslim anti-Israel protesters chanted and waved Palestinian flags, with pro-Palestine demonstrators displaying banners reading “Boycott Israel” and accusing Israelis of shooting babies. Independent Muslim Member of Parliament (MP) Ayoub Khan addressed the crowd, arguing that Israeli clubs should face general suspensions similar to those imposed on Russian teams, drawing loud cheers.
Counter-demonstrators against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans being banned from the match were herded by the police into a fenced basketball court, dubbed a “Jew cage” by observers. Inside the stadium, the stands were noticeably empty, with many home fans staying away amid warnings of potential trouble.
The events around the match came against a backdrop of growing concern over anti-Semitism in Britain. Jewish community groups and security organizations have warned that anti-Semitic incidents have surged since the October 7 attacks in 2023. Last month, a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, carried out by a man pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, left two people dead and several others injured. The attack renewed fears about the safety of Britain’s Jewish population and prompted calls for greater protection of places of worship.
Critics of the decision to ban Maccabi supporters argued that it highlighted the severity of the problem. Commentators argued that the move effectively told Jewish and Israeli fans they could not be kept safe, rather than addressing the threat posed by potential aggressors. Starmer condemned the decision, saying, “We will not tolerate anti-Semitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”
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