West Midlands Police has issued a formal apology after admitting they wrongly targeted Aston Villa supporters with dispersal orders following the team's triumphant Europa Conference League match. The controversial police action occurred in Birmingham city centre on Thursday night, sparking immediate backlash from fans and local politicians alike.
The force confirmed they had deployed additional officers and implemented dispersal powers after what they described as "intelligence suggesting potential disorder" following Villa's 2-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar. However, they now acknowledge these measures were incorrectly applied to legitimate football supporters celebrating their team's success.
Fan Outrage and Political Backlash
The decision prompted swift condemnation from both supporters and local representatives. Jack Brereton MP, Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Football Supporters, labelled the treatment of fans as "completely unacceptable."
In a statement that resonated with many supporters, Brereton emphasised that "football fans should be able to enjoy their team's success without being treated like criminals." His comments reflected the growing frustration among the Villa faithful, who felt unfairly targeted despite what witnesses described as largely peaceful celebrations.
Police Acknowledge Operational Error
In their subsequent apology, West Midlands Police stated: "We have reviewed the deployment of dispersal powers in Birmingham city centre following the Aston Villa game and accept that they were used incorrectly in this instance."
The force clarified that while they maintain a responsibility to prevent disorder, the implementation of these specific powers against genuine football supporters was an error in operational judgement. The admission represents a significant climbdown for the police force, which had initially defended the measures.
Broader Implications for Fan Treatment
This incident raises important questions about the relationship between police forces and football supporters across the UK. Many supporters' groups have long argued that football fans are often unfairly stereotyped and subjected to disproportionate policing measures compared to other large public gatherings.
The swift apology from West Midlands Police suggests recognition that the balance between maintaining public order and allowing legitimate celebration had been misjudged. However, the episode has left many supporters questioning whether lasting change will follow this very public admission of error.
