Pro-Palestine and Israeli supporters clashed violently outside Villa Park on Thursday night ahead of the Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Ugly scenes erupted near the Trinity Road Stand as some Villa fans reacted angrily to the presence of pro-Palestine campaigners.
About 50 home supporters chanted Villa slogans, while others shouted in support of far-right figure Tommy Robinson. Police on horseback moved in as missiles were hurled between the groups.
Across the road, around 100 demonstrators waved flags and chanted “Free, free Palestine,” while some were heard yelling “Death to the IDF.” Tensions escalated as one man waved a Union Jack and others accused the protesters of “bringing politics into football.”
Police reported six arrests, including a 21-year-old man for refusing to remove a face covering, a 17-year-old boy for ignoring a dispersal order, and three others for racially aggravated public order offences.
Pro-Israeli journalist Yoseph Haddad condemned the hostility, saying, “We are not in Nazi Germany. It’s 2025 and we will not be silenced.”
Meanwhile, West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign chair Naeem Malik defended the demonstration, calling for Israeli teams to be banned from international football.
“There is genocide in Gaza,” he said. “They should not be playing while 65,000 Palestinians have been killed.”
Police deployed more than 700 officers, including dog units and drones, amid fears of extremist infiltration. Airspace over the stadium was also restricted.
Despite the unrest outside, the match proceeded under tight security as most Villa fans entered peacefully, some insisting, “It’s not about politics — it’s about football.”
