Dutch police have questioned the credibility of intelligence used by West Midlands Police (WMP) to justify banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a Europa League match against Aston Villa in November. The decision, made by a Birmingham safety committee, sparked accusations of antisemitism and led Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to order an inquiry by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).
Central to WMP's case was intelligence from Dutch police suggesting Maccabi fans had perpetrated violence during a match against Ajax in Amsterdam in November 2024. However, HMIC's discussions with Dutch officers revealed that several key claims relied upon by WMP clashed with their experience. For instance, Dutch police said a claim that Maccabi fans threw Muslims into an Amsterdam river was incorrect; the only similar incident involved a Maccabi fan being found in the water.
Dutch police also disputed WMP's assertion that 5,000 officers were required to police the Amsterdam match, stating the actual number was 1,200. They further clarified that Maccabi fans did not specifically target Muslim communities, as trouble was confined to central Amsterdam, away from Muslim areas. The violence was described as mutual provocation before the match, with Maccabi fans being attacked afterward amid high anti-Israeli sentiment due to the Gaza war.
The HMIC report, expected this week, is anticipated to be critical of WMP. It will add pressure on Chief Constable Craig Guildford, who faces calls to resign. West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster is awaiting the report before deciding Guildford's fate. WMP defended their actions, stating they based their case on Dutch briefings and were initially planning to host Maccabi fans until alarmed by the intelligence.
The report will also be reviewed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct for potential misconduct, while the Home Affairs Committee is expected to produce its own critical report. WMP rejects allegations that the ban was a political decision or a concession to Islamists.
