Authorities cited public safety concerns and assessed the fixture as presenting a high risk.
By Shula Rosen
Britain’s police watchdog has opened a gross misconduct investigation into former West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford over the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from a November 2025 match against Aston Villa, after inquiries found serious flaws in the intelligence, including that derived from “AI hallucinations” used to justify the restriction.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct also opened a gross misconduct investigation into a police staff member and misconduct investigations involving three other officers.
Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group, supported by West Midlands Police, barred Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending the Europa League match at Villa Park on November 6, 2025.
Authorities cited public safety concerns and assessed the fixture as presenting a high risk.
Subsequent independent inquiries and policing inspectorates identified at least eight significant errors and exaggerations in the police risk assessment used in connection with the decision.
Among the inaccurate information was a reference to a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and West Ham United that never took place.
Reports linked the false information to the use of artificial intelligence search results, or what is often referred to as AI hallucinations.
West Midlands Police also inaccurately characterized intelligence surrounding previous clashes involving Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam, exaggerating threats and misrepresenting the conduct of visiting supporters.
The IOPC said evidence gathered in its investigation indicated that some officers may have failed to exercise appropriate due diligence and impartiality and may have improperly handled sensitive intelligence.
Guildford stepped down as chief constable in January 2026 after the interior minister and Downing Street said they had lost confidence in his leadership.
The decision to exclude the Israeli club’s supporters drew condemnation from government officials, opposition MPs and Jewish community organizations.
Critics accused authorities of failing to properly address threats while instead imposing restrictions on a group facing security concerns.
The misconduct investigations will examine the actions of Guildford, the staff member and the three officers involved in the handling of the intelligence and the decision-making surrounding the ban.