West Midlands Police ordered by watchdog to explain fan ban as public confidence in law enforcement jeopardised
The police watchdog has demanded West Midlands Police provides a full explanation for its controversial decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending last month’s Europa League fixture against Aston Villa.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) warned the decision may have undermined public trust in law enforcement and raised the prospect of launching a comprehensive investigation into the force.
Such an investigation would represent an unusual deployment of the watchdog’s powers, which are typically reserved for cases involving deaths, serious injuries, or allegations of corruption against officers.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford of West Midlands Police now faces demands to step down following revelations that the ban of Maccabi fans appeared to have been founded on fabricated intelligence.
His position became further imperilled after he appeared before the Home Affairs Committee earlier this month and repeated many of the inaccurate claims that had underpinned the original decision.
Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara compounded the controversy by falsely asserting that Birmingham’s Jewish community representatives had supported the ban, a claim for which he issued an apology days later.
Rachel Watson, IOPC director, stated: “While the usual route for (us) to deal with a complaint is via a referral from a police force, given the sensitivities in this matter, I am prepared to consider whether we ought to use our power of initiative.”
She acknowledged that concerns regarding the force’s conduct had become “more heightened” since both officers testified on the matter.
West Midlands Police has been ordered to explain its decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending the game against Aston Villa last month
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She confirmed, writing to Chief Constable Guildford: “Regarding this matter to ask (him) to share any decisions, preliminary or otherwise, along with their rationale”, noting his response would determine the watchdog’s subsequent actions.
The intelligence dossier used to justify the ban contained numerous false claims that have since been discredited.
It made inaccurate claims that hundreds of fans were connected to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and that 5,000 officers had been required to respond to a match against Ajax last year.
Dutch police also denied assertions that Maccabi supporters were highly trained fighters who deliberately targeted Muslim communities and threw civilians into canals during the Amsterdam tie, per The Times.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford is facing calls to step down over the descsion
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The dossier also referenced a Maccabi Tel Aviv match against West Ham that never took place.
Several MPs examining the Villa Park ban suspect this fabricated fixture may have resulted from an artificial intelligence “hallucination” during automated data collection processes.
The IOPC intervention is not alone in scrutinising the force’s decision.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has instructed officials to examine the matter and ordered His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services to deliver findings by Christmas.
The ban on the Israeli club’s fans has been found to have been based on bogus evidence
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Both Houses of Parliament have debated the ban, while the Home Affairs Committee has summoned Chief Constable Guildford for a second appearance, deeming his initial testimony inadequate.
When the ban was announced, Downing Street condemned the decision, stating Israeli fans had been excluded “simply because of who they are”.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch branded the move a “national disgrace”.
Lord Cryer, a Labour peer, went further in his assessment, describing the ban as “an evil plot” by “a bunch of bigots and racists” to turn Birmingham “into a no-go area for Jewish people”.
GB News has approached West Midlands Police for comment.
