Teenage boy among those arrested outside ground
Independent MP Ayoub Khan speaks at pro-Palestine demonstration
Six people were arrested during protests outside Villa Park on Thursday after Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were banned on safety grounds from attending the Europa League match, sparking intense controversy.
A large Pro-Palestine demonstration took place in the shadow of Aston Villa’s stadium, with protesters calling for the match to be cancelled and for Israeli teams to be banned from international football.
A smaller counter-demonstration took place at the away end of the stadium to oppose the ban and to “stand in solidarity with Maccabi fans”. As they made their way to the stadium, officers directed them to hold their protest in a caged basketball court.
