Former West Midlands Police chief and staff members face gross misconduct proceedings over Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban
Craig Guildford, the former chief constable of West Midlands Police who stood down amid the controversy over banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, is being investigated for gross misconduct by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The watchdog says the ban, imposed ahead of a Europa League tie against Aston Villa in November, was based on a flawed police intelligence briefing containing eight errors, reportedly compiled using AI, which is alleged to have given an unbalanced picture of the risk posed by travelling fans and influenced the decision to bar them.
The IOPC reviewed more than 600 pieces of evidence and says Mr Guildford may have overseen the flawed briefing document presented to Birmingham City Council's safety advisory group, which made the final call to exclude the Israeli supporters. Alongside him, a staff member who researched the intelligence faces potential gross misconduct proceedings for allegedly sourcing inaccurate AI-generated information and failing to correct it, while two further serving officers involved in planning for the match face separate misconduct allegations, including claims of insufficient diligence and a lack of impartiality towards Maccabi fans. Guildford retired in January after losing the confidence of the Home Secretary.
- Ex-police chief Craig Guildford faces gross misconduct probe over Maccabi fan ban
- IOPC says AI-generated intelligence report contained eight factual errors
- Three other officers/staff also face misconduct or gross misconduct investigations
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Craig Guildford was, until recently, the chief constable of West Midlands Police, the force responsible for policing football matches in Birmingham. He stepped down in January after Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were barred from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa in November, a decision that drew widespread criticism, including from the Home Secretary. The ban was decided by Birmingham City Council's safety advisory group, which relies on police intelligence about the risks posed by travelling supporters.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is the independent watchdog that investigates serious allegations against police officers and staff in England and Wales. It examined the intelligence briefing that informed the ban and found it contained multiple errors, and it is looking into whether those involved in preparing and overseeing it acted properly.
This matters because it raises questions about how a decision affecting an international sporting fixture, and the treatment of a specific group of fans, was reached, and whether the information behind it was reliable. It also touches on the use of AI tools in police intelligence work and the standards expected of officers and staff who rely on them.