LONDON, Aug 26, 2026 – A former regional police chief and three other officers from West Midlands Police are under investigation for misconduct related to their decision to ban fans of Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a Europa League soccer match against Aston Villa last November.

The West Midlands police force, which serves Birmingham and is among Britain's largest, recommended the ban citing security concerns. However, the decision faced condemnation from both the British and Israeli governments. Jewish community leaders accused the police of misrepresenting intelligence and undermining public confidence.

Despite the ban, there was no major disruption during the event, although police arrested 11 individuals amid demonstrations by pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli supporters outside the stadium.

Craig Guildford, the chief constable of West Midlands Police, announced his immediate retirement in January 2026 after Britain's interior minister expressed a loss of confidence in his leadership. A subsequent report identified multiple mistakes by the force.

On August 26, 2026, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced it is investigating Guildford and a staff member for gross misconduct, along with three other officers for lesser misconduct offenses. Derrick Campbell, IOPC Director of Engagement, stated, "We have examined a wealth of material, hundreds of pieces of evidence, and believe there is an indication some people serving with the police may potentially have behaved in a manner that could justify disciplinary proceedings."

West Midlands Police defended the initial ban, stating it was based on current intelligence and past incidents. However, an independent inquiry found that the threat from Israeli fans had been overstated, intelligence was inaccurate, and opportunities to engage with the local Jewish community were missed.

Sources