SCHOOLS in Birmingham will close early ahead of Thursday’s football match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
A number of protest groups are understood to be targeting the Europe League clash for demonstrations before kick-off on Thursday evening.
BOA Creative, Digital and Performing Arts Academy said it would shut at 1.15pm ahead of the Europa League game.
The Academy principal said in an email to parents that “a number of schools in the local area” were following suit in due to the planned “protests” associated with the match.
Mansfield Primary Academy, less than a mile from the stadium said it would also be closing at 2pm “due to the Villa match”.
UK trade envoy to Israel, Lord Austin, took to social media to condemn the decision. He wrote on X: ” Local politicians and community leaders should be doing everything they can to improve education in areas like Aston and Lozells,
BALED OUT
Gareth Bale brutally shuts down Carragher on live TV then makes cheeky gesture
“Not inflaming tensions and calling for boycotts, bans and protests that result in schools being closed early. What a disgrace.”
Cops told The Telegraph the closures were not based on their recommendations.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said it wasn’t aware of the number of schools closing early due to potential clashes.
This comes after news emerged that 700 officers would be policing the match despite the ban on away fans. Police horses and police dogs will be on hand with the additional cops in a “large policing operation.”
Protests have been signalled from several groups including pro-Palestine, pro-Israel and potentially British nationalist groups.
West Midlands Police Football Unit will be implementing “multiple ticket checks on the approach to the stadium”.
Last month, Maccabi said in a statement that fans would no longer be safe at the upcoming match when reports of the Government lifting the council-led ban on away supports circulated.
The team said Isreali fans will be unable to purchase tickets for the game even if the ban is lifted as it announced it won’t be selling any tickets.
