US EditionPolice ‘used fake claims’ to ban Maccabi fans from Aston Villa game: Report
West Midlands Police based a fan ban on disputed Dutch intelligence about violence and IDF links, despite Dutch police denying these claims, citing fewer than 1,200 officers deployed.
- On November 6, West Midlands Police concluded the fixture posed a high risk and recommended banning Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters, while Birmingham Safety Advisory Group unanimously urged Aston Villa to notify Tel Aviv.
- The force told local officials its findings drew on a range of factors, including Dutch police information and previous incidents, during a meeting last month with Birmingham's Jewish community.
- The confidential report alleged large-scale violence in Amsterdam last year, including claims about 200 linked to the IDF and 500–600 targeting Muslim communities, but Dutch police said deployments totaled about 1,200 across shifts and challenged these assertions.
- Away fans were barred and the away section remained empty at Villa Park, with Maccabi Tel Aviv withholding tickets after political intervention; matchday saw more than 700 officers deployed and 11 arrests amid protests.
- A Dutch inquiry earlier this year found 300 Maccabi fans were at risk and made no claims about organised IDF links, while recent weeks' leaks have fuelled scrutiny and warnings of a precedent ahead of Euro 2028.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Dutch Police: U.K. authorities used false claims to bar Israeli Maccabi fans from match
A report published in The Sunday Times reveals that British West Midlands Police justified barring Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa match by alleging that Israeli supporters threw people into a river and targeted Muslims in Amsterdam last year. Dutch police say they 'do not recognize the claim'
Police defend Israeli fans ban after claims it was based on false intelligence
Netherlands Police has reportedly disputed information in a West Midlands Police report which detailed justifications for the ban. Police have defended the decision to ban fans of an Israeli football team from attending an away game in Birmingham after the Dutch national force reportedly claimed the move was based on false intelligence. Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which brings together the council and police force, announced in Oct…
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