The combined Maccabi thread - now with are you going? poll

[Brazilian Villain]

The local MP recorded a video encouraging "local youth" to gather at Aston pavilion.

Where's that?

On the grounds of Aston Hall
https://www.astonpavilion.com/

That sounds like the event amfy was promoting on here. Originally they were advising people to mask up and not bring their kids, but their plans have been revised and it will be peaceful now. I haven't seen any details yet on when the face painting will commence.

[amfy]

I believe the nature of the protest changed in liaison with the police and I would expect the police to be managing it quite closely.

[markeeeebeeee2005]

Aston Villa fan Benjamin Zephaniah was clear sighted on the struggle of the Palestinian people and why it is important to show solidarity. Wish he was here today as he would have spoken more clearly and more honestly than all of the politicians and business people put together.

Nobody is free until Palestine is free. MTA and all Israeli teams should have been banned and in the absence of a spine from UEFA or our Government, Aston Villa should have shown solidarity with Palestinians as part of BDS movement. 

Rest In Power Benjamin

https://youtu.be/hoQztCV5NQo

[Crown Hill]

Wish all the activists, tub thumpers, Dave Sparts and poujadistes would just give it a rest now!

[DB]

This is all bollox, just want to watch my team. It’s almost an after thought to consider what may happen tonight.

[markeeeebeeee2005]

There were also people who couldn’t be arsed with the solidarity movement with the black South Africans during apartheid. Or didn’t think they deserved freedom or equality.

[Chip Butty 111]

Ironic really that different religions are turning up to protest outside the stadium where God played his best football between 1989 and 1995.....

[rob_bridge]

Its always been a bit ropey down the Dale End area, especially after school closes. Fucking idiots.

Total shithole nowadays - a tactical nuclear weapon wouldn't go amiss. Although I may be biased as it is where I slipped after the Soton game last year and broke my ribs just in time for Christmas.

[Nev]

On normal Euro games days there are always visitors taking in the sights and sounds of our City (which is one of the reasons I love being in European competition), no-one to be seen today so far which is understandable but the Villa coach did whizz past at one point.

[tomd2103]

Where do they even plan to protest around Villa Park? If police have ticket checks around Aston Church and before the large area with the club shop/ticket office/North Stand car park I don't see where there's a big enough space for a protest of significant scale to occur. I've seen Trinity Road mentioned, but surely police will have ticket checks on that side of the ground and then it just immediately becomes residential areas.

The local MP recorded a video encouraging "local youth" to gather at Aston pavilion.

Where's that?

On the grounds of Aston Hall
https://www.astonpavilion.com/

Yep, there is a cricket ground in the grounds of Aston Hall and it's the pavilion for that. 

[Dave]

Nobody is free until Palestine is free. MTA and all Israeli teams should have been banned and in the absence of a spine from UEFA or our Government, Aston Villa should have shown solidarity with Palestinians as part of BDS movement. 

And the best way to do that would be to turn up, hand out a well-deserved thrashing and move on to Bournemouth on Sunday with a minimum amount of fuss.

[olaftab]

The protests are legitimate and should take place as an Israeli team is visiting is closely associated with the that country's flag. I hope both sides do so in peace and do not obstruct us ordinary fans to do what we want to do, watch a football match. I am looking forward to it and will make my way  into the stadium regardless of whoever I have to walk past/through and whatever is required from me by police and stewards....UTV.

[Smirker]

The protests are legitimate and should take place as an Israeli team is visiting is closely associated with the that country's flag. I hope both sides do so in peace and do not obstruct us ordinary fans to do what we want to do, watch a football match. I am looking forward to it and will make my way  into the stadium regardless of whoever I have to walk past/through and whatever is required from me by police and stewards....UTV.

Not really.

They said it was about Maccabi fans specifically, then when they got what they wanted and their fans are no longer coming, they moved the goalposts to something else.

Once Maccabi refused their allocation it should have ended there. Anything after shows the initial uproar was not legitimate.

[PeterWithesShin]

It's a big enough shit show with no Maccabi fans, it would have been far worse if they were at the game.

[Smirker]

It's a big enough shit show with no Maccabi fans, it would have been far worse if they were at the game.

I agree.

But they got what they wanted so no need for anything after.