Over 700 police officers will be on duty to ensure public safety during the Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday.
Residents near Villa Park have been warned to expect major disruptions due to the increased police presence. Supporters of the Israeli team were initially prohibited from attending, but Maccabi later opted not to utilize their ticket allocation for safety concerns.
Pro-Palestinian groups have called for the match’s cancellation, and with planned protests, West Midlands Police have issued warnings to attendees regarding their conduct.
Birmingham Police Commander Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce stated, “Anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with directly, as will those who incite hate.”
“We are collaborating closely with Birmingham City Council, Aston Villa Football Club, and other emergency services to implement a comprehensive policing strategy,” he added.
Joyce noted that attendees should expect a significant presence of uniformed officers, including police horses, dogs, a drone unit, road policing teams, and protest liaison officers.
He emphasized, “Our commitment is to deliver effective policing throughout the West Midlands.” Joyce also acknowledged that multiple protests are expected on the day, stressing that plans are in place to balance the right to protest with the need to ensure safety for all communities in Birmingham.
With considerable experience in managing prominent football matches and demonstrations, the police have worked with various faith and community groups to address their concerns in the lead-up to this match.
The Safety Advisory Group (SAG), responsible for issuing safety certificates for events at Villa Park, decided against allowing away fans based on a risk assessment by West Midlands Police—a decision that has faced criticism from several politicians, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Ultimately, Maccabi announced that they would not accept the ticket offer due to the “toxic atmosphere” that had been created by the initial decision.