Aston Villa's Europa Conference League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv became a major political event after the Israeli club's supporters were banned from attending
Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Zarko Lazetic during a press conference
Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Zarko Lazetic during a press conference
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Maccabi Tel Aviv boss Zarko Lazetic revealed that his team had to reach Villa Park a full five hours ahead of their contentious Europa Conference League encounter with Aston Villa.
The league phase fixture at Villa Park, which the home side claimed 2-0, became a significant political football match following the prohibition of the Israeli club's fans due to safety concerns.
Over 700 police officers were stationed as part of an extensive security operation, featuring mounted police, police dogs and aerial surveillance units in preparation for anticipated pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrations.
Eleven arrests were made in the area, five of which were on suspicion of racially aggravated offences. The others included failure to comply with orders and breaching the peace.
Lazetic explained that his squad was left waiting around after police instructed them to reach the ground at 3pm.
"It was not normal," the Serbian manager commented following strikes from Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen that defeated his team. "Sitting... nothing to do. (We came) five hours before the match. "It was very difficult. It was not our decision."
Goals in each period from the Dutch pair Maatsen and Malen, who converted from the penalty spot, secured a triumph that enhances their prospects of reaching the knockout rounds directly.
At the midway stage of the league phase they occupy sixth position, with fixtures against Young Boys, Basel, Fenerbahce and Salzburg remaining.
Villa manager Unai Emery was once more shielded from addressing queries regarding the non-footballing matters surrounding the fixture. However, regarding the match, he stated: "Finishing the match I am happy, I am not happy with the performance, but I understand the difficulties we have and we will face for the next match.
"We conceded more chances than we planned and we made some mistakes but overall in 90 minutes we dominated, we played with a good result in front and we managed the match and doing some management as well with the players to try to get good balance.
"We used our passion and our experience in Europe. Here at home in the Conference League two years ago, we have the experience and try to understand the difficulties.
"Do not be frustrated, try and use it to be passionate. It was coming in the second half."
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