West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford is once again under intense scrutiny as he prepares to answer questions before the cross-party Home Affairs Committee on January 6. The ongoing dispute centers on a decision to ban supporters of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from their Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham last November, a decision that has sparked widespread controversy and put Guildford’s leadership under threat.
The ban, prompted by fears of violence and racist incitement, was officially issued by the Birmingham City Council-chaired Villa Safety Advisory Group, but the police force’s role recommending the ban has drawn sharp criticism. Allegations that Guildford misled Parliament and mishandled intelligence have resulted in calls from politicians, community leaders, and even Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing the force of failing to protect the Jewish community.
An investigation ordered by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is underway to scrutinize the intelligence behind the ban, while the Independent Office for Police Conduct has sought assurances relating to the force’s decision-making process.
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The controversy hinges on intelligence that Maccabi’s ‘Ultras’—known for their history of violence and racist behavior, particularly targeting Arabs and Muslims—posed a significant security risk. Notably, the involvement of recent Israeli Defence Force conscripts among these fans heightened concerns amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
West Midlands Police football policing unit, led by Chief Inspector Mike Wilkinson, received intelligence from Dutch counterparts who policed a previous match between Maccabi and Ajax. This information described the Ultras as troublemakers far beyond typical hooliganism, prompting the police to formally recommend a review of away fan attendance to the Safety Advisory Group.
However, key segments of their formal letter remain redacted, and both the police and Birmingham City Council have declined to release full details or meeting minutes, citing legal considerations. The council’s political leader, Cllr John Cotton, reportedly counseled against the ban, and local Labour MPs have criticized the police’s approach.
Critics, including MP Ayoub Khan, argue that the ban targeted violent and racist hooligans, not Jews, accusing pro-Israel MPs of exploiting antisemitism claims and ignoring the genuine racism exhibited by Maccabi’s hardcore fans. The decision came amid heightened tensions following a deadly attack at a Manchester synagogue and rising antisemitic incidents in the UK.
Despite the backlash, the match proceeded without away fans and was largely peaceful, though protests occurred near the stadium. UEFA later sanctioned Maccabi with a suspended away fan ban and a fine for racist and discriminatory conduct by their supporters in a separate match.
Concerns about transparency persist, with Guildford rejecting interview requests and police withholding key evidence. Allegations of political pressure from local figures opposing Israel have surfaced, with some accusing the police leadership of yielding to such influences.
Further issues include factual inaccuracies in police testimony to Parliament, such as overstated security force numbers in Amsterdam and referencing a fabricated match with West Ham based on AI-generated social media scans. Police also failed to properly inform themselves of the club’s efforts to restrict problematic fans through ticket controls and secure transport.
While the police did not make the final decision—the Safety Advisory Group’s chair had that authority—the force’s recommendations were influential. Support from the National Football Policing Council and a peer review have reportedly cleared Guildford of wrongdoing, but transparency remains elusive.
The wider political context is complex, with the match held in a city with significant pro-Palestine sentiment and diverse communities. The potential for violent protests and far-right exploitation added urgency to security concerns.
Guildford’s position hinges on the integrity of the intelligence and whether it was molded to justify the ban. Community trust, particularly from local Jewish leaders, will be vital to his future. The police and crime commissioner Simon Foster faces a difficult decision over continued support amid local frustrations about inconsistent policing of antisemitic and anti-Israel expressions.
As the parliamentary hearing approaches, Guildford faces the challenge of restoring confidence in his leadership while balancing complex community relations and national political pressures. Whatever the outcome, this saga underscores the challenges of policing high-profile events in a deeply divided political and social landscape.