West Midlands Police have issued a significant clarification and apology regarding statements made about the Jewish community's role in the controversial decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a Europa League match at Villa Park.
Clarification Over Controversial Committee Evidence
The force has moved to correct the record after Assistant Chief Constable Mike O'Hara gave evidence to the Home Affairs Committee. He had previously suggested that some Jewish community representatives did not want supporters of the Israeli club to attend the match against Aston Villa in early November.
Police now state that the officer did not intend to imply explicit support from the community for the exclusion. The decision to prohibit away fans sparked a major political row, drawing criticism from figures including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Intelligence and International Dispute
The original ban was partly justified by police intelligence citing alleged violent clashes and hate crime during a previous Maccabi match in Amsterdam. However, this intelligence has been thrown into doubt after Dutch police disputed the account of events.
The fixture, which took place at the start of November, saw West Midlands Police push back protestors outside the stadium. The fallout from both the ban and the subsequent parliamentary testimony has been considerable.
Apology Issued to Birmingham Representatives
In a direct consequence of the controversy, West Midlands Police have apologised to Jewish community representatives in Birmingham. The force's clarification seeks to draw a line under the damaging implication that local Jewish leaders actively sought the ban on opposing fans.
This incident highlights the sensitive intersection of policing, football, and community relations, particularly in the context of heightened tensions. The apology marks an attempt to rebuild trust after a statement that risked misrepresenting the stance of a key community.
