Several Birmingham schools will shut their doors early tomorrow as security concerns mount over Aston Villa's Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The educational institutions are taking this precautionary measure despite West Midlands Police confirming they made no such recommendation.
The early closures come as authorities prepare an extensive security operation for the fixture at Villa Park.
Multiple schools in the vicinity have informed parents of amended finishing times, citing concerns about potential demonstrations linked to the match.
Schools near Villa Park are set to close early on Thursday
|PA
This decision has sparked controversy, with critics arguing the closures represent an unnecessary disruption to children's education in response to security fears.
BOA Creative, Digital & Performing Arts Academy has confirmed a 1.15pm closure, with its principal informing parents that "a number of schools in the local area" were taking similar action due to "protests" expected around the match.
Mansfield Green E-ACT Primary Academy, situated under a mile from Villa Park, will close at 2pm "due to the Villa match" with "the gates will be open for you to collect your children" at that time.
Lord Austin, the UK's trade envoy to Israel and a Villa season-ticket holder, condemned the decisions.
"Local politicians and community leaders should be doing everything they can to improve education in areas like Aston and Lozells, not inflaming tensions and calling for boycotts, bans and protests that result in schools being closed early. What a disgrace," he posted on X.
The Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match was classified 'high risk' by West Midlands Police | GETTYIn response to the fixture, authorities have assembled an unprecedented security presence.
More than 700 officers will be deployed throughout the operation, supported by mounted units, police dogs and aerial surveillance drones.
West Midlands Police Force Football Unit warned Villa supporters on Tuesday they would face "multiple ticket checks on the approach to the stadium".
The force confirmed they would "mount a large policing operation" for the match.
All non-police drones face restrictions within a one-mile radius of Villa Park between 2pm and 11.59pm.
The comprehensive security measures include protest liaison officers and road policing units, with significant disruption expected to local traffic.
Ch Supt Tom Joyce stated: "Anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with directly, as will those who incite hate."
Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group advised that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans should be barred from the November 6 fixture | GETTYThe force has coordinated with Birmingham City Council, Aston Villa and emergency services to implement what they describe as a "significant policing operation".
The fixture has attracted controversy after various groups, including pro-Palestine, pro-Israel and nationalist British supporters, indicated plans to demonstrate.
Last month, Tommy Robinson posted on X: "Who's coming to support Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park on November 6th??"
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Keir Starmer was among those to criticise the decision to ban Maccabi fans | PAMaccabi Tel Aviv declined any ticket allocation, citing safety concerns for their supporters.
The Israeli club's fans were ultimately banned from attending, a decision Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called "wrong", adding: "We will not tolerate anti-Semitism on our streets."