Overview
- Chief constable Craig Guildford and colleagues defended the ban before the Home Affairs Committee, acknowledging a mistaken Google-sourced reference to a non-existent West Ham match and a lack of notes from Dutch police discussions.
- Dutch authorities disputed West Midlands Police descriptions of 2024 disorder in Amsterdam used to justify the ban, challenging claims about Maccabi supporters' conduct.
- Previously confidential documents showed early intelligence that some locals might "arm" themselves and target visiting supporters, with police later emphasizing risks to the community rather than traditional home–away fan disorder.
- An expert rapid review by Cheshire chief constable Mark Roberts, completed 16 days before the game, advised the "least worst" option was a reduced allocation for Israeli away fans rather than a blanket ban.
- Calls for Guildford to resign intensified from senior politicians and Jewish groups, as the Home Secretary ordered an HMICFRS review into how police provide risk assessments to Safety Advisory Groups and MPs prepared a critical report.