According to Dutch authorities, West Midlands Police allegedly utilized misleading intelligence to prohibit supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa.
The police department’s decision to classify the event as ‘high risk’ led Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group to impose a contentious ban on Israeli fans for the November 6 game, sparking public outrage.
The move triggered a significant political uproar, with figures like Sir Keir Starmer denouncing the ban, stating emphatically, “Antisemitism will not be tolerated on our streets.”
A confidential document explaining the ban revealed that West Midlands Police based their decision on inaccurate information concerning a previous match between Tel Aviv and Ajax held in Amsterdam the preceding November.
The report alleged that of the 2,800 Israeli fans in Amsterdam, over 200 were associated with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Further, it claimed that Israeli fans had thrown ‘innocent members of the public into the river,’ targeted Muslim communities, and prompted the deployment of 5,000 police officers.
However, the Dutch national police have refuted these assertions. As reported by The Times, the Amsterdam police expressed surprise at these allegations, particularly the purported connections between Israeli fans and the IDF.
A spokesman said the force would have never had this intelligence, adding that Israel had a policy of conscription.
The force also denied claims the Israelis were ‘highly organised, skilled fighters with a serious desire and will to fight with police and opposing groups’. West Midlands Police had attributed it to Dutch law enforcement.
Responding to claims that innocent members of the public were thrown into the river by Israeli fans, Dutch police said there was only one known case – and the victim appeared to be a Maccabi Tel Aviv fan.
An empty away section is seen at Villa Park after Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were banned from attending on November 6
There were protests outside Villa Park before the game. Pictured: Pro-Palestine protesters
He was filmed being told he could leave the water as long as he said ‘Free Palestine’.
After the intelligence was leaked, the Dutch police strongly denied the information relied upon for the ban – describing it as ‘not true’ and in some instances obviously inaccurate.
West Midlands Police later used the report during a meeting with members of Birmingham’s Jewish community last month.
Superintendent Jack Hadley told the behind-closed-doors meeting that ‘innocent members of the public walking down the road were just thrown into the river’.
He also claimed Dutch police had referred to the coordination and organisation of the Israeli fans as ‘unique’ and that the violence which had ‘never [been] seen’ had led to the deployment of thousands of extra officers.
This was also rejected by Dutch police who said there were 1,200 officers as opposed to the 5,000 suggested.
The decision to ban supporters was not only condemned by the Prime Minister — but it also infuriated members and allies of the Jewish community.
About 30 per cent of Birmingham’s population is Muslim and the city has seen numerous demonstrations since the start of the Gaza war.
By the time the Prime Minister said he would intervene to reverse the ban, Maccabi decided not to offer its fans tickets amid safety concerns.
They said: ‘The wellbeing and safety of our fans is paramount, and from hard lessons learned we have taken the decision to decline any allocation offered on behalf of away fans and our decision should be understood in that context.
‘We hope that circumstances will change and look forward to being able to play in Birmingham in a sporting environment in the near future.’
It’s understood the ‘final straw’ was when right-wing activist Tommy Robinson said he was going to attend the game as a Maccabi fan.
Police officers escort a woman with an Israeli flag away from Pro-Palestinian protesters outside Villa Park
Cordons of police separated pro-Israeli from pro-Palestinian groups outside Villa Park
The Government said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by Maccabi’s decision to turn down their away allocation but respected the decision.
The match went ahead on November 6, with 11 arrests made and more than 700 officers deployed amid a large pro-Palestine presence and a smaller group of pro-Israel supporters at Villa Park.
Former Labour MP Lord Ian Austin, who is a season-ticket holder at Aston Villa and one of the Jewish community’s closest political allies, previously fumed: ‘I am appalled that West Midlands Police said that no away fans should be allowed to come to the match.
‘It looks like they have capitulated to a campaign by trouble-makers and abdicated their responsibility to ensure people can go about their lawful business safely.
‘Birmingham is a great international city. It welcomes visitors from all over the world and they must be able to come in safety.’
After a political row erupted, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch branded the decision a ‘national disgrace’.
She said the PM should ‘guarantee that Jewish fans can walk into any football stadium in this country’.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: ‘West Midlands Police’s evaluation was based primarily on information and intelligence and had public safety at its heart.
‘We assessed the fixture between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam as having involved significant public disorder.
‘We met with Dutch police on 1 October, where information relating to that 2024 fixture was shared with us.
‘Informed by information and intelligence, we concluded that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters – specifically the subgroup known as the Maccabi Fanatics – posed a credible threat to public safety.
‘The submission made to the SAG was based on information and intelligence which helped shape understanding of the risks.
‘West Midlands Police commissioned a peer review, which was conducted by UKFPU, the NPCC and subject matter experts.
‘This review, carried out on 20 October, fully endorsed the force’s approach and decision-making.
‘We are satisfied that the policing strategy and operational plan was effective, proportionate, and maintained the city’s reputation as a safe and welcoming place for everyone.’
