BIRMINGHAM, UK: More than 700 police deployed across the UK city of Birmingham Thursday for protests planned ahead of a football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa, with visiting Israeli fans barred. The UK government last month vowed to reverse the ban on Maccabi fans attending the Europa League match in the city in central England that has a significant Muslim population after widespread criticism of the decision taken by local safety advisers and police. However, the Israeli club later announced it would decline any tickets for its fans, citing safety concerns.

Residents and business owners living around Aston Villa’s stadium have expressed anxieties before the club’s Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv

There will be a huge police presence when Aston Villa face Maccabi Tel-Aviv, but what's the issue and what might happen?

The Israeli club’s fans have been banned from attending their match at Aston Villa, with West Midlands police granted section 60 stop-and-search powers ahead of the game

Pro-Palestine groups calling for Israel's removal from FIFA are expected to protest outside Villa Park in Birmingham.

BIRMINGHAM, UK: More than 700 police deployed across the UK city of Birmingham Thursday for protests planned ahead of a football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa,…

LONDON: West Midlands Police have said their decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending the club’s Europa League fixture against Aston Villa on Thursday was based…

Those arrested were all men, boys aged between 17 and 67 - the majority for racially aggravated public offences.

Eleven men are held amid a huge police operation near Villa Park involving 700 officers.