Overview
- Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara told MPs some Jewish representatives opposed Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending, then wrote to community figures to apologize, according to reports.
- Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group barred away supporters from the early November match at Villa Park based in part on police intelligence, leaving the away section empty.
- West Midlands Police classified the fixture as high risk by citing alleged disorder and hate crimes at a 2024 Ajax–Maccabi match in Amsterdam, a characterization Dutch police have disputed.
- The Israeli embassy criticized the use of what it called disproven allegations about Amsterdam as evidence of a threat to public safety in Birmingham.
- The force says it is engaging with the local Jewish community and will respond to further questions from the Home Affairs Select Committee and to HMICFRS oversight work.