Former West Midlands Police Chief Investigated Over Ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in the UK has launched an investigation into Craig Gilford, the former chief of West Midlands Police, over his role in banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a match against Aston Villa. The probe centers on allegations that the decision was based on a flawed and biased intelligence report presented to the Safety Advisory Group (SAG).

The intelligence report reportedly contained eight errors, including exaggerations about the involvement of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in a 2024 Amsterdam riot and references to a fabricated match generated by artificial intelligence. Gilford is suspected of overseeing the briefing document, which was later found to contain misleading information and an unbalanced portrayal of the risks posed by visiting fans.

Gilford resigned after losing the confidence of Downing Street and the Home Secretary but did not apologize, instead blaming "political and media hysteria" for his departure. Three other senior officers and a team member are also under investigation for failing to verify the accuracy of the intelligence and for relying on AI-generated false information without proper checks.

IOPC director Derek Campbell stated the inquiry aims to determine if the police conduct met professional standards. Acting West Midlands Police Deputy Chief Jen Mattinson acknowledged the damage to public trust and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. The British government condemned the ban decision, which sparked outrage over perceived antisemitism against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans.