West Midlands Police were privately warned that a proposed ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from an Aston Villa match could be perceived as antisemitic, weeks before telling a parliamentary committee that the Jewish community supported the exclusion, newly released documents reveal.
Internal Warnings and Public Statements
The revelation comes from emails and meeting minutes obtained by Sky News via a Freedom of Information request to Birmingham City Council. The documents, partially redacted for security, show a significant discrepancy between internal safety discussions and later evidence given to MPs.
Minutes from a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting on 16 October record a section on "community sentiment and impact" attributed to West Midlands Police. The document states: "Jewish community groups have expressed concern that banning away fans could be perceived as antisemitic, rather than a public safety decision." It further warned this perception "could undermine trust and increase reputational risk for authorities and the club."
Misleading Parliament and an Apology
Despite this recorded concern, Assistant Chief Constable Mike O'Hara told the Home Affairs Select Committee on 1 December that Jewish groups backed the ban. This led to the force's leadership being recalled by MPs and Chief Constable Craig Guildford issuing an apology for the "confusion". In a letter, Guildford wrote: "There was never any intention to mislead whatsoever."
Prior to the October SAG meeting, police had emailed the council, with one official writing: "There is concern over a perception that our safety considerations may be wrongly considered as an anti-Jewish sentiment... if you could help me outline this issue and risk from your perspective that would be of great support."
Safety Concerns and Community Tensions
The ban, ratified on 16 October, was justified on grounds of public safety ahead of the Europa Conference League match on 6 November. Police cited risks of disorder linked to Maccabi fans' conduct, including referenced incidents in Amsterdam in 2024. The minutes also note the potential for protest and disorder due to the team's presence and the context of the war in Gaza.
Councillors Waseem Zaffar and Mumtaz Hussain expressed that parts of the local community wanted the match stopped, citing safety fears. The minutes also summarise police concerns about isolated incidents of antisemitic abuse as a hate crime risk, though they stated they were unaware of any planned pro-Israel demonstrations.
The controversy unfolded as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer opposed the ban, raising antisemitism concerns. Since the Villa match, UEFA has fined Maccabi Tel Aviv €20,000 (£17,500) and given them a suspended away fan ban for anti-Palestinian chanting at a subsequent match in Germany.
West Midlands Police declined to comment further when approached by Sky News.
