Watchdog to criticise West Midlands police over Maccabi Tel Aviv ban

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Vikram Dodd Police and crime correspondentJanuary 14, 2026 at 11:16 AM

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A report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary is expected to criticize West Midlands Police for errors in handling intelligence that led to a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a football game in Birmingham. The inquiry, ordered by the Home Secretary, examined the force's reliance on information from Dutch police regarding the behavior of Maccabi fans during a match in Amsterdam in November 2024. West Midlands Police reportedly presented a report to a local safety advisory group suggesting Maccabi fans were perpetrators of violence, a claim disputed by Dutch police. The report's findings will add pressure on the force and its chief constable, Craig Guildford. The Home Secretary will present the findings to MPs and is considering whether to express confidence in Guildford.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Sir Andy Cooke 40% Simon Foster 40% Aston Villa 40% Birmingham ×250% Craig Guildford ×250% Amsterdam ×250% Shabana Mahmood ×260% Dutch Police ×470% Maccabi Tel Aviv ×570% His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary ×270% West Midlands Police ×790%

Keywords

west midlands police 100% football ban 90% maccabi tel aviv 80% police intelligence 70% hmic 70% dutch police 60% police report 60% craig guildford 50% aston villa 40%