The leader of Birmingham City Council has been called to Parliament to answer for a contentious decision that has sparked a major political dispute. Councillor John Cotton will appear before a powerful cross-party committee to explain the rationale behind banning away supporters of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from a European match in the city.
Parliamentary Scrutiny Over Safety Decision
Labour's Councillor John Cotton is scheduled to appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee on Monday, January 6. He will be joined by senior council officers Richard Brooks, the executive director of operations, and Anthony Cox, the director of law and governance. They have been summoned to provide evidence on the steps taken by the council-led Aston Villa Safety Advisory Group, which imposed the ban on away fans for the Europa League tie between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv in November.
The group cited public safety concerns as the primary reason for the prohibition. However, the move triggered a significant backlash, with criticism led directly by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The committee has organised an unusual second evidence session due to continued disquiet about the decision and concerns it could be interpreted as antisemitic.
Police Chiefs Also Recalled for Questioning
Senior police figures will also face intense scrutiny during the same parliamentary session. West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford and Assistant Chief Constable Mike O'Hara have been recalled to give further evidence, having previously appeared before the committee earlier in December.
They will be accompanied by Chief Inspector Mike Wilkinson, who leads the force's football policing unit, and Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the national lead for football policing. The committee is seeking clearer explanations after allegations of potentially misleading evidence regarding the ban's justification.
Reasons Behind the Controversial Ban
In letters and documentation published ahead of the hearing, the council has provided the minutes from three Safety Advisory Group meetings where the ban was discussed and reviewed. The authorities pointed to the racist and violent behaviour exhibited by some of Maccabi Tel Aviv's 'ultras' during a previous fixture in Amsterdam as a key factor.
This risk was reportedly exacerbated by a combination of "international sensitivities, community sentiment and the potential for protest activity" surrounding the match. Despite this, the decision has been deeply divisive.
In a recent Q&A with BirminghamLive readers, Councillor Cotton revealed he had personally advised against the ban. "I made my position very clear to the Chief Constable," he stated. "I was clear that... I did say that I thought this would have very negative consequences for Birmingham and sent a message out around what kind of city we are and how welcoming we are."
He emphasised his concern that the decision conflicted with Birmingham's identity as a welcoming city for legitimate football fans and visitors. The upcoming parliamentary session is expected to rigorously examine whether the safety grounds justified the ban's significant political and community repercussions.
