Senior officers from West Midlands Police are due to face a rigorous parliamentary questioning over their contentious decision to ban supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a match at Aston Villa's stadium. The force's leadership will be held to account by the Home Affairs Committee following widespread condemnation of the move, which was labelled "antisemitic" by the Israeli government.
Controversial Decision Based on Disputed Intelligence
The ban was imposed for the UEFA Europa League fixture between Aston Villa and the Israeli club at Villa Park on November 6, 2025. Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group, comprising council and police representatives, made the ruling based on a police intelligence report that classified the match as high risk.
This assessment cited alleged violent incidents and hate crimes during a Maccabi Tel Aviv away game against Ajax in Amsterdam in 2024. However, the validity of this intelligence has been fiercely contested. The Israeli embassy in London asserted that West Midlands Police relied on "disproven allegations" from the Amsterdam event, which Dutch police have since disputed.
According to reports, claims that Maccabi fans threw people into a canal and targeted Muslim communities were not recognised by Dutch authorities. Daniela Grudsky Ekstein, the embassy's charge d'affaires, stated the decision was "profoundly misleading, extremely troubling, and risks inflaming tensions."
Political Backlash and Official Inquiry
The ban provoked significant political outcry. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among those angered by the decision. In a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the Israeli embassy argued the police action exemplified a failure to address the real threat from radical groups and showed differential treatment of Israeli and Jewish people.
The embassy highlighted that the police's own report acknowledged the ban "may be seen as antisemitic or anti-Israel," yet the option was pursued regardless. Consequently, Chief Constable Craig Guildford, Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara, and Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster will be questioned by MPs.
Policing minister Sarah Jones and the government's independent antisemitism adviser, Lord Mann, will also give evidence. In response to the controversy, the Home Secretary has instructed His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services to review how police forces conduct risk assessments for major events.
Aftermath and Lasting Implications
In the wake of the ban, Maccabi Tel Aviv opted to decline any away tickets for their supporters. The match itself, which was policed by more than 700 officers, proceeded without serious disorder. Nevertheless, the episode has raised serious questions about policing, intelligence-gathering, and community relations.
The core issues now under scrutiny include the sources of the disputed intelligence and whether sufficient steps were taken by the Home Office to challenge the local decision. The parliamentary hearing represents a significant moment for accountability, as authorities examine a case that has drawn accusations of bias and mishandling from an international ally.
