MPs Demand Transparency from West Midlands Police on Maccabi Tel Aviv Match Ban

Members of Parliament (MPs) are urging West Midlands Police (WMP) to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding their decision to prohibit Israeli fans from attending a match against Aston Villa. This demand follows a report by the Sunday Times, which alleged that WMP had overstated the potential threat posed by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of the match scheduled for November 6.

The report indicated that WMP relied on an intelligence assessment suggesting that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were “highly organised, skilled fighters” with a strong inclination to engage in violence, particularly referencing incidents from a match in the Netherlands last year. In light of these allegations, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated that unless WMP can present a valid justification, Chief Constable Craig Guildford should consider resigning. Home Office Minister Sarah Jones confirmed that she has reached out to the Chief Constable for clarification.

WMP has defended its assessment, asserting that its security measures were “proportionate” and aimed at ensuring public safety. The Sunday Times report mentioned specific claims from the intelligence report, suggesting that a significant number of Maccabi fans had previously targeted Muslim communities in Amsterdam, and that violent incidents had occurred, though these claims were reportedly refuted by Dutch police.

During an urgent question in the House of Commons, Conservative MP Nick Timothy requested the release of all intelligence documents related to the ban and the evidence reviewed by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which played a critical role in establishing the restrictions on away fans for the upcoming match.

Philp emphasized the necessity for the government to hold West Midlands Police accountable, asserting that the characterization of Maccabi fans as “skilled and organised fighters” was unfounded. In her remarks, Jones indicated that the Home Office had commissioned His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services to conduct a broader investigation into the safety assessment protocols employed by the police.

She further noted that WMP is conducting a thorough debrief regarding the events leading up to the match and will publish a timeline detailing the decisions made and the rationale behind the recommendations provided to SAG.

In response to the claims made in the Sunday Times, a spokesperson for WMP stated, “Our evaluation was underpinned by information and intelligence, with public safety as our foremost priority. We assessed the previous fixture between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam as having witnessed significant public disorder, and we engaged with Dutch police on October 1 to discuss relevant information concerning the 2024 matchup.”

Based on their assessment, police determined that a subset of Maccabi fans represented “a credible threat to public safety.” They concluded that their policing strategy and operational plan were effective, proportionate, and essential in maintaining the city’s reputation as a safe and welcoming environment for all.