Summary
West Midlands Police clarified they did not mean to suggest the Jewish community supported banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an upcoming football match in Birmingham. The ban was based on safety concerns following intelligence reports. The decision led to criticism and discussion about the events leading to the ban.
Key Facts
- West Midlands Police stated they did not intend to imply Jewish community support for the fan ban.
- Assistant Chief Constable Mike O'Hara apologized for any misunderstanding.
- The ban was criticized, including by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who expressed anger over the decision.
- The football match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv was classified as high risk due to previous incidents.
- Police cited intelligence from Dutch authorities about past clashes involving Maccabi fans.
- The police's justification for the ban included reports of organized violence by Maccabi ultras.
- The decision was influenced by evaluations from Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group, including the police and the city council.
- The match proceeded with a heavy police presence and ended without major issues.
