Six people have been arrested as hundreds of protesters gather in Birmingham ahead of Aston Villa’s match with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Among those arrested was a 21-year-old man for failing to comply with an order to remove a face mask, West Midlands Police said.
A 17-year-old boy was meanwhile arrested for failing to comply with a dispersal order.
Three other people were arrested for racially aggravated public order offences and another person was arrested for breach of the peace.
Six people have been arrested amid protests outside Villa Park
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PA
More than 700 police officers are on duty for the Europa League clash, after concerns were sparked of potential disorder.
Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group announced last month that visiting fans will be barred from attending the match at Villa Park on public safety concerns.
A group of around 40 protesters, one carrying an Israeli flag and others carrying posters saying “keep antisemitism out of football”, gathered on a basketball court close to the stadium’s Doug Ellis Stand to hear various speakers oppose the ban on Maccabi fans.
The Revd Tim Gutmann, founder of Christian Action Against Antisemitism, told the crowd that the protest was against “an ancient hate and an ancient evil that hasn’t stopped, and has again risen in our time”.
Holding up a placard saying “Never Again Is Now”, he added: “As a Christian it’s important for me to be here to show that we stand with our fight and stop the hate.
“These are huge moments for a nation. We cannot have no-go zones for Israeli football fans. We can’t have no-go zones for Jewish people.”
Palestinian flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israel were also placed on the ground near Villa Park amid pro-Gaza chants.
Police officers briefly formed a cordon to prevent a surge of protesters after an Israeli flag was reportedly waved by a passer-by.
Witnesses said the woman was ushered into a side street and spoken to by police before leaving the area.
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