Overview
- The away end is empty after Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group barred visiting supporters and Maccabi Tel Aviv declined any tickets.
- West Midlands Police deployed more than 700 officers with horses, dogs and a drone unit, and stop-and-search powers are active through the night.
- Pro-Palestine groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, scheduled a 6pm rally near the stadium, with a pro-Israel counter-protest also planned.
- Several local schools, including BOA Creative, Digital and Performing Arts Academy and Mansfield Primary Academy, closed early because of expected disruption.
- Authorities classed the tie as high risk citing 2024 clashes at Ajax–Maccabi in Amsterdam, and the ban on away fans drew criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.