The family of Birmingham city councillor Waseem Zaffar, who tragically died from a heart attack at the age of 44, firmly believe that the immense stress he endured during the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban controversy significantly contributed to his untimely death. According to his relative and family representative, Khurram Raja, the relentless pressure Councillor Zaffar faced exacerbated underlying medical conditions, ultimately leading to cardiac failure.
A Life of Service Cut Short
Councillor Zaffar, a devoted father of three with a fourth child on the way, had faithfully represented the west Birmingham community of Lozells since 2011. His passing occurred in a hospital in Islamabad late on Friday, following a brief visit to his ancestral village of Thub Jaghir, near Dadyal in Kashmir, to attend the funeral of a beloved uncle. The family understands that his heart failure was likely connected to underlying diabetes, but they assert that extraordinary stress levels created a perfect storm that triggered the fatal cardiac event.
The Weight of Controversy and Scrutiny
During the final three months of his life, Councillor Zaffar found himself at the centre of intense personal attacks and scrutiny. This was directly linked to his role on a council-led safety advisory group, which alongside West Midlands Police, recommended banning fans of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from a match against Aston Villa. Mr Raja described unrelenting efforts to portray the councillor as antisemitic, including accusations from MPs using parliamentary privilege, largely due to his pro-Palestine stance and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza.
He was also confronting formal complaints of antisemitism lodged with the council, claims he fervently denied. Mr Raja emphasised that the prolonged pressure and abuse took a severe toll, even on someone with considerable mental strength and resilience. Furthermore, his position as a city councillor was under political scrutiny ahead of the May local elections, during which the Labour Party anticipates losing seats. Councillor Zaffar was actively preparing to defend his seat and support fellow councillors with their campaigns.
Personal Struggles Amid Public Pressure
Alongside these professional challenges, Councillor Zaffar was awaiting the birth of his fourth child with his wife, Ayesha. The sudden death of his idolised uncle, Raja Kamal Khan, in Kashmir was a significant personal blow. According to accounts relayed by family members present, Councillor Zaffar fell ill soon after arriving in Kashmir but insisted on attending a service for his uncle. After seeking medical attention locally, he was advised to travel to a major hospital in Islamabad.
During the journey, he continued posting updates, including a final Instagram post about his campaign for safer school streets, unaware of the severity of his condition. Upon arrival in Islamabad, the critical nature of his situation became clear. Mr Raja recounted that Councillor Zaffar expressed a desperate wish to return to his family in Birmingham, even asking if he could be medicated for a flight home, but was told his condition was too grave. Plans were being made to fly his older sons to be with him in anticipation of major heart surgery, but he succumbed to a further heart attack and passed away.
The Fan Ban Decision and Its Aftermath
Councillor Zaffar had publicly explained his personal boycott of the Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv in an opinion piece for BirminghamLive, protesting the inclusion of Israeli teams due to the military action in Gaza. This stance was later used to allege bias when he participated in the Safety Advisory Group's recommendation. West Midlands Police had cited significant safety concerns and risks of disorder involving the club's supporters as justification for the ban.
The advisory group's decision provoked condemnation from politicians, including the Prime Minister, and triggered a substantial backlash that ultimately contributed to the retirement of the force's chief constable, Craig Guildford. Mr Raja also revealed that Councillor Zaffar had been the target of a persistent online hate campaign, which he tried to ignore but which nevertheless impacted him deeply.
A Legacy of Community and Family
Known as a well-connected problem solver within the Labour Party in Birmingham, Councillor Zaffar harboured ambitions to create positive change on a national level. Speaking on behalf of the grieving family, Mr Raja expressed their heartbreak and shock. He shared that Councillor Zaffar had recently hosted a large gathering to launch his re-election campaign, where he spoke of the immense love and support from his family and community. A recording of this speech was played during his funeral ceremony in Kashmir, creating a poignant sense of farewell.
In accordance with Muslim spiritual teachings, Councillor Waseem Zaffar was laid to rest the day after his passing, leaving behind a community in mourning and a family grappling with an irreplaceable loss.
