Overview
- Correspondence shows the force consulted eight Muslim organisations, including Al-Habib, Jame and Green Lane Mosque, before banning Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from the November Europa League match.
- Birmingham council minutes and released papers state the preference to exclude Israeli fans was reached in the absence of intelligence and based on conversations and professional judgment.
- Claims used by police about large-scale disorder in Amsterdam were disputed by Dutch police and the Dutch justice inspectorate, including the number of officers deployed.
- Chief Constable Craig Guildford told MPs there was no documented feedback from Jewish representatives supporting the ban and he apologised for confusion, while asserting some private support was expressed.
- Senior politicians, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, criticised the decision, and Guildford is due before the Home Affairs Committee to address the force’s consultation and rationale.