"Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Villa Park ahead of Thursday night's tie, which took place without visiting fans after Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group raised public safety concerns. The demonstrators, including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, gathered outside the stadium's Trinity Road Stand, with a stage set up for speakers to lead chants against the IDF and in support of Palestinians. They demanded Israel's domestic football teams be excluded from UEFA competitions."
"With more than 700 officers on duty as part of the major operation, West Midlands Police quickly intervened in each face-off, moving groups of people along and pushing the protesters away from stadium entrances. The atmosphere calmed after the game started, but at half-time, with Villa fans coming out into the concourse, some confronted the protesters through the metal fence, with at least two objects seen thrown back."
"The force said a 21-year-old man was arrested for failing to comply with an order to remove a face mask, while another 21-year-old was arrested after trying to throw fireworks into the ground. A 17-year-old boy was arrested for failing to comply with a dispersal order and a man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs."
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Villa Park before the Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv, with visiting fans banned after public safety concerns. Demonstrators, including Palestine Solidarity Campaign members, assembled near the Trinity Road Stand with a stage for speeches and chants against the IDF, demanding exclusion of Israeli domestic football teams from UEFA competitions. More than 700 officers policed the event and intervened in several pre-match and half-time skirmishes, separating groups and moving protesters away from entrances. The force made at least 11 arrests for offences including failure to comply with orders, attempted use of fireworks, suspected drug supply, and racially aggravated public order offences.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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