Demands for Clarity on Police Intelligence Regarding Fan Ban

Members of Parliament have called on the West Midlands Police (WMP) to provide a comprehensive account of the intelligence that allegedly led to the exaggerated assessment regarding the safety of Israeli fans at an upcoming match against Aston Villa.

According to a report by the Sunday Times (ST), WMP has been accused of overstating the threats posed by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans prior to the match scheduled for November 6, referencing violent incidents involving fans in the Netherlands last year.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has stated that unless WMP can offer a satisfactory explanation, Chief Constable Craig Guildford should consider resigning. Additionally, Home Office Minister Sarah Jones has communicated with Guildford, seeking clarification on the matter.

In defense of their assessment, WMP has maintained that their strategy was “proportionate.” The ST report indicated that an intelligence document cited by the police suggested that certain Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were “highly organized, skilled fighters with a serious intent to confront police and rival groups.” It also reported claims that 500 to 600 of these fans had targeted Muslim communities in Amsterdam, with assertions of fans being thrown into a river—a narrative denied by Dutch police.

During a session in the Commons, Conservative MP Nick Timothy pressed for the release of all intelligence materials pertinent to the ban, as well as the evidence considered by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which was tasked with imposing restrictions on away fans for the match.

Philp called for the government to hold WMP accountable, asserting, “The Maccabi fans were not skilled and organized fighters—this characterization is simply fabricated.” In response to MPs’ concerns, Jones indicated that she had reached out to WMP to investigate the claims and had requested a broader examination by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services regarding the protocols for safety assessments.

She noted that WMP is conducting a debrief concerning the events leading up to the match, including plans to publish a detailed timeline of decisions and the rationale behind the recommendations made to the SAG.

Addressing the allegations from the ST, a spokesperson for WMP stated, “Our evaluation was founded mainly on information and intelligence, prioritizing public safety. We assessed the match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam as involving significant public disorder, based on information shared with us during a meeting with Dutch police on October 1.”

WMP concluded that a subset of Maccabi fans represented a credible threat to public safety, asserting, “We are confident that our policing strategy and operational plan were effective and proportionate, ensuring that the city maintains its reputation as a safe and welcoming environment for all.”