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Papers Detail Mosque Consultations and Disputed Intel Behind West Midlands Israeli Fan Ban

Parliament will question Chief Constable Craig Guilford following documents that cast the Villa Park restriction in doubt.

Overview

  • The force consulted eight Muslim organisations before the November match, and reports say three had previously hosted speakers accused of antisemitism.
  • Safety Advisory Group minutes record a preference for excluding away fans reached "in absence of intelligence" and based on an officer’s professional judgment.
  • Key assertions about Amsterdam unrest and a deployment of 5,000 officers were later contradicted by Dutch authorities, with papers noting 1,200 officers were used.
  • Threat assessments were revised to downgrade risk to Israeli supporters, upgrade risk to Muslims, and omit a previously noted risk to Birmingham’s Jewish community.
  • Birmingham City Council said all SAG partners agreed the match was high risk and advised no away fans, as MPs prepare to question the West Midlands chief on Tuesday.