Tight UK security ahead of match against Israeli club

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.
Villa have said they are not selling tickets for the vacant away end of their Villa Park stadium.
Birmingham, the UK’s second-largest city, has been the scene of regular pro-Palestinian rallies over the last two years.
Close to Villa’s stadium on Thursday there was a large, visible police presence, an AFP correspondent saw.
Local police said protests by different groups were scheduled Thursday near Villa Park, including a pro-Palestinian demonstration demanding Israel be excluded from international football.
A pro-Israeli group has also organized a Maccabi Solidarity Rally, with both protests set to kick off around 6:00 p.m.

(1800 GMT), two hours before the match is due to begin.
“We are experienced at policing high-profile football matches and demonstrations, and for many weeks now, we have been working closely with different faith and local community groups to listen to their views and concerns,” West Midlands Police said in statement.
Signs had been hung near the stadium reading “no war games allowed” and “Give Zionism the Red Card,” while channels spearheaded by far-right activist Tommy Robinson have made Islamophobic statements about the match