The former chief constable of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford, is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for gross misconduct concerning the banning of Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a match. The IOPC has also given notice that three police officers and a staff member are being investigated as part of the probe.
The investigation, launched in January, examines the involvement of West Midlands Police officers in the planning and preparation of the match at Villa Park on November 6, 2025. The decision to ban the fans generated significant national and international debate, with the government expressing a desire to overturn the ban.
According to the IOPC, evidence suggests Guildford may have overseen an intelligence briefing document presented to the safety advisory group. This document was reportedly found to contain inaccuracies and misleading information, allegedly presenting an imbalanced view of the risks posed by away fans. The watchdog stated that Guildford may have failed to ensure adequate due diligence and rigorous scrutiny of the influential document.
Additionally, a senior serving officer who played a leading role in compiling the briefing is also under investigation. This officer is accused of failing to ensure the accuracy of the document and potentially misrepresenting information, which may have compromised the briefing's impartiality.