Eleven people have been arrested after hundreds of protesters gathered in Birmingham for the Europa League clash between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Late on Thursday night, West Midlands Police issued an update following the "contentious and controversial" fixture - which saw Villa overturn the visitors 2-0.
Police released a comprehensive list of nine of the 11 cuffed, including:
- A 63-year-old man arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence after he was heard shouting racist abuse during a road rage incident near Villa Park;
- A 21-year-old man arrested after refusing to remove a face covering while a Section 60 order was in place;
- A 17-year-old who was issued with a dispersal order but refused to leave;
- A 34-year-old arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators;
- A 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting abuse towards pro-Israel demonstrators. He was also arrested for possession of class B drugs;
- A 67-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse at a police officer;
- A 32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse towards a pro-Palestine group;
- A man aged 21 arrested after trying to throw fireworks into the ground;
- A man arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.
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Activists were heard chanting pro-Palestine slogans and phrases like 'Allahu Akbar' outside Villa Park
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More than 700 police officers were put 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.
Outside the ground, high-profile activists like "lawyer" Akhmed Yakoob and pro-Gaza MP Ayoub Khan, who has campaigned to ban Israel from Uefa competitions, were seen leading chants.
Elsewhere, hordes of protesters chanted "Allahu Akbar" and waved Palestinian, Iraqi and regional Pakistani flags as the game went on.
Palestinian flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israel were also placed on the ground near Villa Park, amid pro-Gaza chants.
READ MORE FROM BIRMINGHAM:
PICTURED: Akhmed Yakoob hoists a flag as protesters lead pro-Gaza chants
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Pro-Gaza MP Ayoub Khan was seen leading chants
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Police officers briefly formed a cordon to prevent a surge of protesters after an Israeli flag was waved by a passer-by.
Witnesses said the woman was ushered into a side street and spoken to by police before leaving the area.
Five flatbed vehicles were driven past the ground prior to kick-off of the match, carrying electronic billboards showing messages opposing antisemitism.
A group of around 40 peaceful pro-Israel protesters vowing to "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.
Police briefly formed a cordon after an Israel flag was waved during the protests
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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."
One of the messages, beside a Star of David, said "ban hatred not fans", while another carried a quote from Thierry Henry saying football is not about goals but bringing people together.
Villa supporter Adam Selway arrived for the match wearing a half-and-half scarf in the colours of the home side and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The 48-year-old said he was not making any political statement, felt sympathy with fans unable to attend and simply wanted to watch a football match.
He said: "It’s not about politics, it’s about football.
“It’s not the Villa fans that don’t want anyone here – the Villa fans want the away fans here."
Maccabi Tel Aviv had already announced that it would decline any away tickets for the clash after Sir Keir Starmer's Government said it was "working around the clock" to ensure fans from both sides could attend.
Half-and-half scarves in the colours of Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv were on sale outside the stadium
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The Prime Minister had called for the ban on away fans to be overturned, saying it was "the wrong decision".
While Chief Superintendent Tom Joyce said following the match: "Our officers are being supported by officers from up and down the country as part of mutual aid.
"This has definitely been one of the most contentious and controversial matches we've hosted for some time, but our priority, really clearly, is public safety.
"It's about protecting the communities that live in and around Aston Villa, and reassuring those communities who are potentially affected by the match tonight."
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