Investigation Launched into Maccabi Fan Ban

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a misconduct investigation into former West Midlands Police chief constable Craig Guildford and three other officers over a decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa in November 2025. The investigation, announced on Wednesday, also covers a staff member, according to the BBC and the Jerusalem Post.

The ban, imposed ahead of the match at Villa Park on 6 November 2025, was based on an inaccurate report prepared by West Midlands Police. The report, which was produced using Microsoft Copilot, an AI tool, included eight errors, according to the BBC. These included overstating Maccabi supporters' role in disorder in Amsterdam in 2024 and referencing a non-existent game between Maccabi and West Ham.

The decision to bar fans was made by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which included representatives from West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council, as reported by the BBC.

IOPC Findings and Evidence

The IOPC has examined more than 600 pieces of evidence, including operational documents, reports, intelligence research, minutes of meetings, and a large volume of correspondence, the BBC reported. The watchdog said the briefing document "gave an imbalanced view of the risk away fans posed" and that evidence indicates Guildford "may have had oversight" of the document.

According to the BBC, the IOPC considers that Guildford may have failed to ensure due diligence and the highest level of scrutiny over the influential document. A senior serving officer who played a lead role in compiling the briefing is under investigation for allegedly failing to ensure its accuracy, and a staff member is alleged to have sourced inaccurate information from AI searches without taking subsequent action to exclude it. Two other senior serving officers are under investigation for alleged failures including lack of impartiality towards Maccabi fans.

IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said that serving notices does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow, as quoted by both the BBC and the Jerusalem Post.

The Jerusalem Post noted that the IOPC has reviewed hundreds of pieces of evidence and found indications that some personnel may have behaved in a way that could justify disciplinary proceedings.

Context and Reactions

The match went ahead without Maccabi fans, with police making 11 arrests when pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators clashed outside the stadium, according to the Jerusalem Post. The ban was condemned by both the British and Israeli governments, and Jewish community leaders accused the force of misrepresenting intelligence, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Guildford retired in January after the home secretary said she had no confidence in him, and an independent inquiry found that the force overstated the threat and missed opportunities to engage with the local Jewish community, according to the Jerusalem Post. The BBC added that Guildford retired after both Downing Street and the home secretary said they had lost confidence in his leadership, and he blamed a "political and media frenzy" for his resignation.

West Midlands Police's temporary deputy chief constable Jen Mattinson said she made a voluntary referral to the IOPC and acknowledged that "public's trust in West Midlands Police has been damaged by this event," as quoted by the BBC.

Perspectives

  • IOPC: The watchdog is investigating potential misconduct, stating that the briefing document gave an imbalanced view and that Guildford may have failed to ensure due diligence.
  • Craig Guildford: He retired and attributed his resignation to a "political and media frenzy."
  • West Midlands Police: Temporary deputy chief constable Jen Mattinson noted the damage to public trust and the voluntary referral made to the IOPC.