The Cavalier pub in Fairfax Road, Northfield, has been prohibited from screening England World Cup matches following a stabbing incident outside the premises during the round of 16 match against Mexico. The attack occurred between 2am and 2.44am on Monday, July 6, during the first half of the game.
Details of the Incident
West Midlands Police confirmed that both the victim and the attacker had been inside the pub earlier. The victim, a man, was taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. No arrests have been made, and police stated that 'work is ongoing to identify' the attacker.
Licence Review and Interim Measures
An expedited interim review of the premises licence, held by Admiral Taverns Limited, was requested by the police. The review was heard by Birmingham City Council's licensing sub-committee B on Tuesday, July 7, chaired by Councillor Adam Higgs.
A statement from Superintendent Karl Thomas noted: 'On Monday, July 6, 2026 the venue was open and trading. Between 0200 and 0244 hours an incident occurred whereby a person was stabbed outside the premises by another person both of whom had been in the premises.'
Police described the crime as a serious 'wounding' offence that could result in a life prison sentence. The report indicated that the venue was aware of the incident but 'did not inform police'.
Conditions for Reopening
Rebecca Farley, licensing manager for Admiral Taverns, proposed interim steps to allow the pub to remain open, including door staff from 6pm daily. Police accepted these measures, which became conditions of the licence, and withdrew their request to remove the designated premises supervisor, June Taylor.
The licence was suspended pending a review, but the pub may reopen if it satisfies West Midlands Police that the following conditions are implemented:
- The premises will not show any other England matches in association with the World Cup 2026 or associated additional licensing extensions;
- CCTV must be upgraded to cover all exits, entrances, and external areas with a 30-day recording capacity;
- Signage advising of the CCTV system must be displayed;
- Immediate implementation of a search policy;
- Immediate implementation of incident avoidance and crime scene management policy;
- Full staff retraining, including the DPS, delivered by an external trainer, covering the importance of incident reporting to the police;
- Deployment of door staff and search policy from 6pm each day;
- The designated premises supervisor must remain in place.
If these conditions are met, the pub can reopen with its previous hours but cannot show any England World Cup games, including the quarter-final against Norway on Saturday at 10pm, nor participate in extended licensing hours for World Cup matches.
Police Statement
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: 'We are investigating after a man was stabbed outside a pub on Fairfax Road, Birmingham, at around 2.45am on Monday. The man was taken to hospital with injuries, thankfully not life-threatening. An investigation is underway and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone who can help with our investigation can contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting crime reference number 20/312811/26. Our licensing team made an application for a review of the premises. Following the licensing review, a decision was made that the pub will not be showing any England games for the remainder of the World Cup, and training will be provided to staff.'
