Arrests made amid protests before Aston Villa-Maccabi Tel Aviv game

Six people have been arrested amid protests in Birmingham ahead of Aston Villa’s football match with Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv, police said.

Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group announced last month that visiting fans would be barred from attending the match at Villa Park on public safety concerns.

More than 700 police officers are on duty for the Europa League clash on Thursday amid concerns over potential disorder.

Before the match, around 200 protesters including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered near Villa Park’s Trinity Road stand to demand Israel is excluded from international football.

We've arrested six people tonight: