A preliminary investigation by Britain’s policing watchdog into the controversial ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a match against Aston Villa has ignited significant controversy due to its complete exclusion of Muslim community perspectives. Andy Cooke, Chief Inspector of Constabulary, submitted a report to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood that included twenty interviews with prominent figures but notably omitted any representatives from Birmingham’s Muslim community, despite Muslims constituting approximately 30% of the city’s population.
The report’s findings prompted Home Secretary Mahmood to declare she had ‘no confidence’ in West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford, resulting in his immediate retirement. Cooke’s investigation reviewed police intelligence that justified prohibiting Maccabi supporters from the Europa League fixture at Villa Park in November.
Among those interviewed were diplomatic representatives from the Israeli embassy, the Jewish Representative Council for Birmingham and West Midlands, and Lord Mann, the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism. However, no Muslim community groups or mosque leaders were consulted, despite the significant Muslim population in the region.
A source familiar with the investigation revealed to Middle East Eye that Cooke’s team had indeed interviewed Muslim community groups but could not include their perspectives due to ‘tight’ deadlines imposed by the Home Office for the preliminary report. The source indicated these interviews would be included in subsequent updates.
Birmingham Perry Barr MP Ayoub Khan, whose constituency includes Villa Park stadium, expressed profound disappointment that Cooke’s team had not contacted him or local councillors. ‘British Muslims are treated as expendable,’ Khan stated. ‘That is how Muslims on the ground in Birmingham feel at the moment, and there is deep grievance about it.’
Jewish Voice for Liberation, a group representing Jews critical of Israel, also voiced concerns regarding the lack of Muslim representation in the report. In a letter to West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, representatives David Mond and Jenny Manson expressed being ‘surprised and dismayed’ by the omission.
The controversy stems from West Midlands Police’s decision to ban Maccabi fans based on intelligence from Dutch police regarding the conduct of approximately 200 supporters described as ‘experienced fighters’ who wreaked havoc in Amsterdam during a November 2024 match. Police assessments concluded the most significant violence risk came from extremist fans of the Israeli club, with documents characterizing them as ‘highly organized’ and ‘intent on causing serious violence.’
Chief Constable Guildford had previously defended the ban as a ‘necessary tactic with a legitimate aim, absolutely not antisemitic, rather a carefully considered, legitimate and necessary measure to ensure public safety.’ He acknowledged that part of the evidence justifying the ban, including reference to a nonexistent match against West Ham, was erroneously obtained using artificial intelligence.