Football Policing

Home Affairs Committee Open Non-inquiry session
Opened: 26 Nov 2025 Parliament page
The Committee will be hearing from West Midlands Police and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner about the decision-making process that led to Maccabi Tel Aviv fans being prevented from attending the fixture against Aston Villa in November 2025. The session will explore the intelligence that informed the decision, … Read more
5 Recommendations
10 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
21 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 27 events
29 Apr
2026
Report published
3 Mar
2026
Correspondence
22 Feb
2026
Report published
10 Feb
2026
Correspondence
10 Feb
2026
Correspondence
10 Feb
2026
Correspondence
29 Jan
2026
Correspondence
29 Jan
2026
Correspondence
21 Jan
2026
Correspondence
20 Jan
2026
Correspondence
20 Jan
2026
Correspondence
20 Jan
2026
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
6 Jan 2026
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Anthony Cox · Birmingham City Council Chief Constable Mark Roberts · UK Football Policing Unit Councillor John Cotton · Birmingham City Council Craig Guildford · West Midlands Police Mick Wilkinson · West Midlands Police Mike O’Hara · West Midlands Police Richard Brooks · Birmingham City Council
1 Dec 2025
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Craig Guildford · West Midlands Police Lord Mann, Independent Adviser on Antisemitism Mike O’Hara · West Midlands Police Richard Clarke · Home Office Sarah Jones MP · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Simon Foster · West Midlands Police
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban HC 1553 22 Feb 2026 15 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
Clear
4 Conclusion Deferred
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan …
Given the damage caused to community relations by the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv...
Given the damage caused to community relations by the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, it is surprising and disappointing that Assistant Chief Constable O’Hara was not more precise in his remarks about whether Jewish representatives had supported the … Read more
Government Response
The government is considering a formal escalation mechanism for Safety Advisory Group recommendations but will wait for the UK Resilience Academy's review of Safety Advisory Group guidance and HMICFRS inspection before exploring the issue further.
Home Office
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7 Conclusion Deferred
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan …
It is particularly surprising that firm challenge was not applied given the political sensitivity of...
It is particularly surprising that firm challenge was not applied given the political sensitivity of this decision. The Safety Advisory Group recognised this in asking West Midlands Police for a clearer recommendation and clearer justification to exclude away fans. However, … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the limitations of Safety Advisory Groups in politicized situations and is reviewing SAG guidance to ensure members can challenge effectively, but does not recommend introducing a formal escalation mechanism until cross-government partners and stakeholders fully explore the issues, informed by ongoing work.
Home Office
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8 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan …
The Cabinet Office’s review of guidance to Safety Advisory Groups should identify whether more guidance...
The Cabinet Office’s review of guidance to Safety Advisory Groups should identify whether more guidance is needed on the level of challenge that Safety Advisory Groups should be resourced to provide. The Government should also consider whether an escalation process … Read more
Government Response
The government is undertaking a review of Safety Advisory Group guidance but defers introducing a formal escalation mechanism until issues have been fully explored, including the designation of events of national significance; ongoing work will inform this consideration.
Home Office
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12 Conclusion Deferred
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan …
The principle of police operational independence is an extremely important one, so it is right...
The principle of police operational independence is an extremely important one, so it is right that Ministers are cautious about intervening in police decision-making. However, by intervening only after the decision to ban away fans was taken, the Government increased … Read more
Government Response
The government is considering whether a formal designation mechanism could strengthen cross-government coordination for events that may present exceptional challenges but will await a HMICFRS report before finalising proposals or setting out next steps.
Home Office
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14 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan …
The Government should give serious consideration to the proposal to introduce a new category for...
The Government should give serious consideration to the proposal to introduce a new category for football matches of national significance, with a process for designation, to provide a stronger basis for intervention in the future. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49) 24 Conclusion Read more
Government Response
The government recognises the Committee's interest in designating events of national significance, but defers action pending the outcome of an HMICFRS report and further development of options to test with policing, local authorities, and event organisers.
Home Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 14 of 5 classified
Accepted 2
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 5
Not Addressed 2
Total 5 recs + 10 conclusions
Correspondence 21 letters
3 Mar 2026 To committee Letter from the Acting Chief Constable of West Midlands Police relating to the Committee's report on Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban 23.02.2026
Parliament page
10 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from Birmingham City Council relating to the Safety Advisory Group minutes on Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv 06.02.2026
Parliament page
10 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Deputy Chief Constable of West Midlands Police in response to the Chair's letter of 29 Jan relating to Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv 02.02.2026
Parliament page
10 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Home Secretary following her appearance on 4th Feb relating to Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv 10.02.2026
Parliament page
29 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the IOPC relating to the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans 19.01.2026
Parliament page
29 Jan 2026 From committee Letter to the IOPC relating to the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans 28.01.2026
Parliament page
21 Jan 2026 Additional documents from Birmingham City Council relating to letter dated 12.01.2026 on Maccabi Tel Aviv Fixture
Parliament page
20 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from Chief Constable Craig Guildford of West Midlands Police, follow up to 6 January oral evidence session 15.01.2026
Parliament page
20 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from Birmingham City Council relating to the SAG meetings 12.01.2026
Parliament page
20 Jan 2026 To committee Response from Amsterdam Police to letter from Dame Karen Bradley of 12 December relating to Aston Villa - Maccabi Tel Aviv
Parliament page
14 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Chief Constable Craig Guildford following the Maccabi Tel Aviv session on 1 December and 6 January 2026
Parliament page
6 Jan 2026 Birmingham City Council relating to the Safety Advisory Group minutes on Aston Villa - Maccabi Tel Aviv
Parliament page
6 Jan 2026 UKFPU Peer Review relating to Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel-Aviv 05.01.2026
Parliament page
6 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from Lord Mann relating to Aston Villa - Maccabi Tel Aviv 05.01.2026
Parliament page
30 Dec 2025 To committee Letter from the Chief Constable Craig Guildford following the Maccabi Tel Aviv session on 1 December 19.12.2025
Parliament page
30 Dec 2025 To committee Letter from the Director General for Public Safety and Safer Streets following the Maccabi Tel Aviv session on 1 December 18.12.2025
Parliament page
30 Dec 2025 To committee Letter from Birmingham City Council following the Maccabi Tel Aviv session on 1 December 18.12.2025
Parliament page
30 Dec 2025 To committee Letter from the Director UK Football Policing Unit following the Maccabi Tel Aviv session on 1 December 17.12.2025
Parliament page
10 Dec 2025 From committee Letter to Birmingham City Council relating to Safety Advisory Group meetings regarding Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv 09.12.2025
Parliament page
10 Dec 2025 From committee Letter to Michael Johnson, Director of the UK Football Policing Unit relating to UKFPU's involvement in preparations for Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League match 09.12.2025
Parliament page
10 Dec 2025 From committee Letter to Chief Constable Guildford, West Midlands Police following 1 December oral evidence session 09.12.2025
Parliament page