Israel protestor led away by police as tensions rise at Villa Park

VIDEO SHOWS: ISRAELI PROTESTOR HOLDING ISRAEL FLAG BEING LED AWAY BY POLICE DURING PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTS AHEAD OF EUROPA LEAGUE MATCH BETWEEN ASTON VILLA AND MACCABI TEL AVIV IN BIRMINGHAM WHERE AWAY FANS WHERE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND THE MATCH / POLICE PRESENCE OUTSIDE THE VILLA PARK STADIUM / COMMENT FROM LOCAL ACTIVIST WHO BACKS THE FAN BAN COMPLETE SHOTLIST & SCRIPT TO FOLLOW *EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: INCLUDES EXTRA 70 SECONDS WORTH OF FOOTAGE AT THE START OF THE EDIT SHOWS: BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (NOVEMBER 6, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) STORY: A pro-Israel protestor holding an Israel flag was led away by police as tensions rose outside Villa Park on Thursday (November 6) evening ahead of the Europa League fixture between Aston Villa and Israeli soccer club Maccabi Tel Aviv.  British police had mounted a large operation with 700 officers to prevent trouble in the city of Birmingham. With Israeli sports teams a focus for pro-Palestinian protests during the Gaza conflict and Villa initially saying away fans would be barred on police advice, Maccabi reluctantly opted not to accept tickets for visiting supporters. Despite that, pro-Palestinian groups staged protests. West Midlands police said there would be a big police presence in the centre of Birmingham, which has a large Muslim population, and around the stadium. Police officers were seen patrolling the area outside the stadium and a small group of protesters were gathered with pro-Palestinian banners. Last November, more than 60 people were arrested in Amsterdam after clashes around a match between Maccabi and Ajax. Police said anti-Israeli gangs on scooters chased and beat Maccabi fans. Five people were treated in hospital. Britain has witnessed a sharp rise in antisemitism in recent years and two Jewish worshippers died during an attack on a synagogue last month. The initial decision to bar Maccabi fans from the Villa game was opposed by the UK government, but the Israeli club anyway decided to keep its fans away given the "toxic atmosphere." (Production: Will Russell, Iain Axon, Stefan Haskins)

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