West Midlands Police Vows to Rebuild Trust After Controversial Fan Ban
Published 27 January 2026
Highlights
- West Midlands Police is working to rebuild trust with the Jewish community after banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a match against Aston Villa.
- Acting Chief Constable Scott Green apologized for the decision, which was based on flawed AI-generated intelligence.
- The police and crime commissioner, Simon Foster, clarified he lacked the legal power to immediately dismiss Chief Constable Craig Guildford.
- Antisemitism training will be introduced for officers as part of efforts to restore community relations.
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating potential misconduct related to the fan ban decision.
West Midlands Police has pledged to restore its relationship with the Jewish community following a contentious decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa. The ban, which was based on exaggerated intelligence, led to the retirement of Chief Constable Craig Guildford and has sparked widespread criticism.
Apologies and Training Initiatives
Acting Chief Constable Scott Green has publicly apologized to the Jewish community, acknowledging the damage caused by the decision. In a meeting held on Tuesday, Green announced that antisemitism training would be rolled out for officers to prevent similar incidents in the future. This initiative is part of Operation Strive, which promises to investigate every report of antisemitic hate crime.
Michael Rowe, chairman of the Young National Jewish Assembly, expressed cautious optimism about the police's response. "While this was a positive first step, we now need to see concrete action from West Midlands Police to ensure that the Jewish community is not sidelined in the future," he stated.
Legal and Procedural Challenges
Simon Foster, the West Midlands police and crime commissioner, clarified his inability to immediately dismiss Guildford, despite political pressure following the incident. "There’s no legal power on the part of a police and crime commissioner to summarily sack a chief constable on the spot," Foster explained, emphasizing the need for a lawful process.
The controversy arose after it was revealed that the intelligence justifying the fan ban included a non-existent match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and West Ham, generated by AI software. As a result, Green has temporarily blocked access to the AI tool, Microsoft Copilot, until proper guidelines are established.
Investigations and Future Implications
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is conducting an investigation to determine if any officers or staff members have a case to answer for misconduct related to the fan ban. Meanwhile, the government is considering changes to the powers of police and crime commissioners, potentially shifting the authority to appoint and dismiss chief constables back to the Home Office.
What this might mean
The ongoing investigation by the IOPC could lead to disciplinary actions against individuals involved in the decision-making process. If misconduct is found, it may prompt further scrutiny of the use of AI in policing, potentially leading to stricter regulations and oversight.
Politically, the incident has highlighted the complexities of the powers held by police and crime commissioners, which may influence future legislative changes. The introduction of antisemitism training could serve as a model for other police forces, fostering improved community relations and trust.
