Calls for Accountability Following Controversial Ban on Israeli Fans

Members of Parliament (MPs) are urging the West Midlands Police to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the intelligence that allegedly influenced the decision to prohibit Israeli fans from attending their match against Aston Villa.

A report from the Sunday Times suggested that West Midlands Police (WMP) had overstated the potential threat from Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters ahead of the match scheduled for November 6, referencing violent incidents associated with a prior game in the Netherlands.

In reaction to these claims, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated that if WMP cannot provide a satisfactory rationale, Chief Constable Craig Guildford should consider resigning. Home Office Minister Sarah Jones confirmed that she has reached out to Guildford for clarification.

WMP has defended its assessment, asserting that their operational plan was “proportionate” to the concerns raised. According to the Sunday Times, the intelligence report used by the police indicated that certain Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were “highly organised, skilled fighters with a serious desire and will to engage in violence with police and rival groups.” The report also alleged that 500 to 600 fans had targeted Muslim communities in Amsterdam, claiming that some supporters were thrown into a river—assertions that the Dutch police have reportedly denied.

During an urgent parliamentary discussion, Conservative MP Nick Timothy demanded the release of all intelligence documents related to the fan ban, as well as the evidence reviewed by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which was responsible for imposing restrictions on away fans for the match on November 6.

Philp emphasized the need for the government to hold West Midlands Police accountable, stating, “The Maccabi fans were not skilled and organised fighters – this was simply fabricated.”

Minister Jones informed MPs that she had written to WMP to investigate the allegations further and that the Home Office has commissioned His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services to conduct a more comprehensive review of safety assessment protocols.

She noted that WMP is conducting a debrief of the events leading up to the match and intends to publish a timeline detailing the decisions and reasoning behind the recommendations made to the SAG.

In response to the claims made by the Sunday Times, a spokesperson for WMP stated that their evaluation was primarily based on intelligence and aimed at public safety. They described the previous match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam as having involved significant public disorder and noted a meeting with Dutch police on October 1, where pertinent information about the upcoming fixture was exchanged.

The police assessment concluded that a subset of Maccabi fans presented a credible threat to public safety, affirming that their policing strategy was effective, proportionate, and maintained the city’s reputation as a safe and welcoming environment for all.