MPs Call for Clarity from Police on Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Ban

Members of Parliament have called for West Midlands Police (WMP) to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding allegedly inflated intelligence that led to the prohibition of Israeli fans from attending their club’s match against Aston Villa.

A report in the Sunday Times claimed that WMP overstated the threat posed by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ahead of the match on November 6, referencing violent incidents associated with a match in the Netherlands the previous year.

In response, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated that unless WMP can provide a satisfactory justification, Chief Constable Craig Guildford should resign. Home Office Minister Sarah Jones confirmed that she had reached out to Guildford for clarification on the matter.

WMP has defended its assessment, asserting that their plan was “proportionate.” The Sunday Times reported that an intelligence document referenced by the police suggested that certain Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were “highly organised, skilled fighters with a serious desire and will to fight with police and opposing groups.” The report also claimed that 500 to 600 of these fans targeted Muslim communities in Amsterdam, with allegations of fans being thrown into a river, which Dutch police have denied.

During an urgent question session in the Commons, Conservative MP Nick Timothy urged for the release of all intelligence materials related to the ban as well as the evidence considered by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which was responsible for the restrictions on away fans for the November 6 match.

Philp emphasized the need for the government to hold West Midlands Police accountable, asserting, “The Maccabi fans were not skilled and organised fighters – it was just made up.” The minister informed MPs that she had written to WMP to investigate the claims further and that the Home Office had instructed His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services to conduct a broader inquiry into safety assessment procedures.

She noted that WMP would be conducting a debrief of the events leading up to the match and would publish a timeline detailing the events, decisions made, and the rationale provided to the SAG.

In response to the allegations made by the Sunday Times, a spokesperson for WMP stated: “West Midlands Police’s evaluation was based primarily on information and intelligence, with public safety being the foremost priority. We assessed the fixture between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam as having involved significant public disorder. We met with Dutch police on October 1, where information related to that 2024 fixture was shared with us.”

Police concluded that a subset of Maccabi fans posed a credible threat to public safety, stating, “We are satisfied that the policing strategy and operational plan were effective, proportionate, and maintained the city’s reputation as a safe and welcoming place for everyone.”