West Midlands Police continue to prepare for potential security challenges surrounding the Europa League encounter between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv on 6 November, despite the Israeli club's decision to decline their away supporter allocation.
Officers remain concerned that Israeli supporters might circumvent restrictions by acquiring tickets in home areas of Villa Park.
The force is maintaining heightened vigilance for possible pro-Israel demonstrations during the match.
Security preparations have intensified following the fixture's classification as "high risk" by Birmingham's safety advisory group.
West Midlands Police are still preparing for potential Maccabi Tel Aviv fans arriving at Villa Park
| PAThis designation came after intelligence assessments and violent incidents during Maccabi Tel Aviv's match in Amsterdam against Ajax.
The possibility of UK-based Israeli supporters purchasing home section tickets has prompted police to develop contingency plans for potential disruptions.
Aston Villa have implemented strict measures for the fixture, explicitly prohibiting any display of political messaging, symbols or flags.
The club warned that violations would lead to "immediate ejection and the issuing of a stadium ban".
The Premier League side has restricted ticket sales exclusively to supporters who made purchases before the current season began.
The Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match was classified 'high risk' by West Midlands Police | GETTYThis measure aims to prevent opportunistic buyers from acquiring tickets specifically for this contentious match.
Villa confirmed they would not sell tickets for what will now be an empty away section.
The club has also cautioned supporters against reselling their tickets to third parties.
These regulations follow the club's earlier decision to inform matchday stewards they were not obligated to work during the fixture, acknowledging that some staff members "may have concerns" about the match.
The fixture's high-risk classification followed violent clashes during Maccabi Tel Aviv's European match in Amsterdam.
Birmingham's safety advisory group initially prohibited travelling supporters, sparking widespread condemnation.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer branded the original ban "wrong", declaring that Britain would "not tolerate anti-Semitism on our streets".
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Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were banned in part due to the violence that broke out in Amsterdam last year | REUTERSThe government subsequently offered to fund additional policing resources to enable Israeli supporters to attend.
The Israeli embassy expressed deep concern about the "hostility and incitement" that ultimately led Maccabi to withdraw their allocation.
They condemned efforts to exclude Israeli teams and Jewish supporters, stating: "It is regrettable that extremists have turned football, a sport meant to unite, into a platform for intimidation, driving Jewish and Israeli fans away from UK stadiums."
Previous security concerns materialised in September when pro-Palestinian demonstrations occurred during Maccabi's Europa League match in Thessaloniki, Greece.