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📌 Here’s what you’ll learn:
Six weeks ago, there was a possibility that the match would not take place, with calls for Israeli teams to be excluded from international competitions due to the war between Israel and Gaza.
But once a ceasefire was agreed last month, it became clear that Maccabi Tel Aviv – the only Israeli club to reach the league stage of European competition this season – would remain in the Europa League.
West Midlands Police said its decision was “based on current intelligence and previous incidents, including violent clashes and hate crimes that occurred during the 2024 UEFA Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam.”
A coalition of six pro-Palestinian organizations will be outside Villa Park on Thursday to protest the match.
Naeem Malik, president of the West Midlands Palestinian Solidarity Organization, said the organization had issued a national appeal for people to attend, hoping that between 20,000 and 50,000 demonstrators would attend.
“Maccabi Tel Aviv should not play anywhere on the international stage,” Malek told BBC Sport.
“We organized a lot of demonstrations for Palestine in this city and they were all very peaceful.
He added: “Our campaign is that Israel should be boycotted in all sports, whether played with fans or without fans.”
More than 700 police officers will be deployed, including those with horses and dogs, the force’s drone unit and road policing officers. There will be a no-fly zone around the Earth.
“We trust the local authorities,” Angelides said.
“I feel they should know the situation, what is needed, and know what lines need to be drawn.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv played its two home Europa League matches this season in Serbia after UEFA decided it was unsafe to host matches in Israel, and Angelides believes the players are used to playing matches without significant travel support.
He added: “We have had to deal with this for two years, playing our home game abroad and often without fans due to the distance and location.”
“There are no excuses, our players will be ready to play a football match.”
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