Ex-chief constable investigated over ban on Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv fans

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating former West Midlands Police chief constable Craig Guildford for gross misconduct. The probe centers on the decision to ban Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a match against Aston Villa at Villa Park on November 6, 2025.

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may have had oversight on an intelligence briefing document presented to the safety advisory group (SAG) that was later reported to have contained inaccuracies and misleading information

The ban sparked significant national and international debate, prompting the government to pledge its efforts to overturn the decision. The IOPC's investigation, launched in January, is examining the role of West Midlands Police officers in the planning and preparation for the match.

Evidence suggests Guildford may have overseen an intelligence briefing document presented to the safety advisory group. This document is reported to have contained inaccuracies and misleading information, presenting an imbalanced view of the risks posed by away fans. The watchdog is considering whether Guildford failed to ensure adequate due diligence and scrutiny of this influential document.

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gave an imbalanced view of the risk away fans posed

Additionally, a senior serving officer and a staff member are under investigation. The officer allegedly failed to ensure the briefing's accuracy and appropriately handle sensitive intelligence. The staff member is accused of sourcing inaccurate information from AI searches and failing to verify it before inclusion in briefings.

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may have failed to ensure due diligence and the highest level of scrutiny over such an influential document