Exclusive documents have revealed that senior officials in Birmingham were aware a controversial ban on Israeli football fans would be labelled antisemitic, but proceeded with the decision regardless. The released minutes also indicate Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was informed of the likely ban days before it became public.
The Secret Briefing and a Political Firestorm
For over two months, West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council resisted releasing details of closed-door meetings concerning the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from a Europa League match against Aston Villa on November 6, 2025. Now, a cache of documents finally sheds light on the saga that has triggered calls for Chief Constable Craig Guildford to resign and will see police and council leaders face a hostile parliamentary committee.
The paperwork suggests that on October 8, during a Teams call about protest policing, Chief Constable Guildford outlined to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood that Maccabi's fans might be prohibited. An email from the Home Office to the UK Football Policing Unit chief later that day confirmed the briefing: “We’ve heard that the West Midlands Chief briefed the Home Sec earlier that a condition of the match going ahead may be to ban away fans.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer, however, was reportedly unaware and reacted with fury when the decision was announced.
The 'Game-Changing' Evidence from Amsterdam
A clear timeline of the decision-making process has emerged from the documents. It began with initial discussions between West Midlands Police and Maccabi Tel Aviv officials on September 2-3, where the Israeli club expressed concerns about potential disorder.
The pivotal moment came from a Zoom call on October 1 between West Midlands Police's head of football policing, Chief Inspector Mike Wilkinson, and Dutch police commanders. The intelligence shared about Maccabi fans' behaviour in Amsterdam was later described by Chief Constable Guildford as 'game changing'.
In a subsequent email, Chief Insp Wilkinson relayed alarming claims from the Dutch police, including:
- Approximately 500 Maccabi fans, described as well-organised and having military training, drank in Amsterdam's city centre.
- Reports of attacks on Muslim taxi drivers, Palestinian flags being torn down and burned, and the singing of anti-Muslim songs.
- A coordinated march where people were allegedly thrown into a river, with fans prepared to physically confront police officers.
- Subsequent 'hit and run style attacks' by mobilised Muslim youths, requiring 2,000 Dutch riot police.
The email also claimed Dutch police reported 'political influence from the Israeli government' after the match, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appearing on national television.
Community Impact and the Path to a Ban
Throughout September and October, West Midlands Police conducted a community impact assessment, speaking to leaders of numerous local mosques—many of whom have publicly supported Palestine—as well as Jewish community leaders and organisations like the Community Security Trust (CST).
Despite maintaining that the ban was solely for public safety, the released documents show authorities knew the move would be perceived as 'antisemitic'. The first meeting of the Safety Advisory Group to discuss the potential ban was held on October 7, where it was agreed to 'presume' an away fan ban.
The organisations have continued to withhold some documents, citing national security and the protection of individual identities. Both West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council insist the ban ensured a peaceful fixture and averted a significant risk of violence, denying any anti-Israel sentiment inspired the decision.
