Maccabi Tel Aviv’s participation in the Europa League led to highly charged scenes at Villa Park on Thursday.
The league phase match, which Aston Villa won 2-0, became a major political event where fans of the Israeli club were banned from attending due to fears over safety.
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Maccabi fans were banned from attending the match at Villa ParkCredit: Getty
More than 700 police officers were deployed at the stadium and around Birmingham ahead of pro-Palastinian and pro-Israeli protests.
A pro-Palestine protest was held outside Villa’s stadium before kick-off, where hundreds turned up with Palestinian flags and anti-Israeli banners.
Speeches were made calling for an end to violence in Gaza and for the Israeli club’s expulsion from UEFA as well as – bizarrely – the Eurovision Song Contest.
There was also a counter-Israeli protest at the other side of Villa Park, with protesters holding up signs reading ‘Keep antisemitism out of football’, while five flatbed vehicles were driven past the ground carrying electronic billboards showing messages opposing antisemitism.
Villa had implemented a strict ticketing policy, which only allowed people with a previous purchase history to buy them.
Fans were also warned against displaying flags or political banners as per UEFA regulations, a request that was adhered to throughout.
But why do Israeli clubs even play in European competitions in the first place?
Where is Israel located?
Israel is located in the Levant, the Mediterranean region connecting Africa to Asia, just like neighbouring nations of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and parts of Egypt.
Geographically, it is in the Middle East.
Why don’t they play in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)?
The state of Israel was founded in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust and World War Two.
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Pro-Palestine protesters called for Israel to be expelled from FIFACredit: Getty
In that same year the Israeli Football Association (IFA) was founded.
It became one of the founding members of the AFC in 1954, but following political tensions due to the Arab-Israeli conflict many Arab and Muslim nations started refusing to play Israeli teams.
Israel had been largely successful at the Asian Cup, finishing second in 1956 and 1960 before winning as hosts in 1964.
They were meant to host the 1972 edition before being forced to withdraw.
In 1974, a motion was passed by the AFC to expel Israel from the federation.
The motion was put forward by Kuwait with 17 members voting for it, 13 against, and six abstaining.
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More than 700 police officers were deployed around Villa ParkCredit: GettyHow did Israel join UEFA?
Israel spent nearly two decades without a consistent continental home.
They were temporarily placed in different confederations for World Cup qualifying, including Oceania and Europe, but were not full members of any.
Israeli clubs began competing in the European Intertoto Cup in the 1970s and 1980s, a competition financed by the betting industry.
UEFA began allowing the Israeli national team to compete under its association umbrella from 1991 before club sides began playing in UEFA competitions the following year.
By 1994, UEFA had made Israel a full member instead of just an associate member.
What competitions can Israel play in?
As a full member of UEFA, Israel’s national team and its domestic clubs are entitled to participate in all European competitions, such as the European Championship qualifiers, the UEFA Nations League, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Europa League.