Maccabi Tel Aviv kick off soccer game against Aston Villa with Israeli fans banned; six said arrested outside

Maccabi Tel Aviv players arrive ahead of their Europa League soccer match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham, England, November 6 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)
Maccabi Tel Aviv players arrive ahead of their Europa League soccer match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Birmingham, England, November 6 2025. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)

Maccabi Tel Aviv begin their game against Aston Villa in Birmingham with their fans conspicuously absent from the stadium after they were banned.

A large swath of empty seats can be seen in the Villa Park stadium for the European game.

Meanwhile, outside the stadium, hundreds of pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstrators protest against the Israeli team, with some heard chanting “Death to the IDF.”

Hundreds of police are present, with dozens seen surrounding a lone woman who held up an Israeli flag.

Sky News reports that so far six people have been arrested.

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