Police Chief Investigated Over Inaccurate Report Leading to Fan Ban
IOPC probes former West Midlands chief constable and three others after a flawed intelligence briefing barred Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from a Europa League match.
Callum Smith
An independent investigation targets former West Midlands Police chief constable Craig Guildford and three other force members.
The police report, which informed the ban, contained eight major errors, including references to a non-existent fixture against West Ham and overstated details of 2024 disorder in Amsterdam.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) claims this inaccurate report, prepared by West Midlands Police, was produced using AI and featured these critical errors.
Reportedly, Microsoft Copilot produced the document, a detail also claimed by the IOPC.
A staff member involved in researching and compiling intelligence for the game allegedly sourced inaccurate information from AI searches and took no subsequent action to help ensure its exclusion from briefings, the IOPC claims.
Birmingham City Council's multi-agency safety advisory group made the final decision to ban the supporters, acting on police advice, according to claims.
The IOPC claims evidence indicates Mr Guildford had oversight of the inaccurate intelligence briefing document presented to the Birmingham Safety Advisory Group, which formed a key part of the decisions leading to the ban.
Mr Guildford reportedly failed to ensure due diligence regarding the document, the IOPC claims.
Our investigation to date has been to assess whether there is an indication anyone may have breached one or more of the standards of police professional behaviour.
A senior serving officer is also under investigation for failing to ensure the intelligence briefing document's accuracy, according to the IOPC.
Another officer will be investigated in relation to their oversight of the briefing document and an allegation they too lacked balance in references to Maccabi supporters, the IOPC claims.
One senior serving officer was reportedly not sufficiently diligent in overseeing the operation, including balancing operational needs alongside engaging with local Jewish communities, and displayed a lack of impartiality towards Maccabi fans in both external and internal communications, the IOPC claims.
The IOPC claims the briefing document gave an imbalanced view of the risk away fans posed, contributing to the decision.
Two other officers involved in match planning face potential misconduct allegations.
Derrick Campbell, speaking on the investigation, stated, "Our investigation to date has been to assess whether there is an indication anyone may have breached one or more of the standards of police professional behaviour."
Campbell added, "We have examined a wealth of material, hundreds of pieces of evidence, and believe there is an indication some people serving with the police may potentially have behaved in a manner that could justify disciplinary proceedings."
The IOPC has examined over 600 pieces of evidence.
Campbell confirmed, "They have been informed their conduct will be investigated."
The ban attracted national and international debate, with protests occurring near Villa Park before the match, where differing viewpoints were expressed.
The Home Affairs Committee claims political pressure may have played a part in the decision to ban the Israeli fans.
Unspecified accusers claim the force was accused of caving to pressure from local Islamist agitators and politically motivated councillors.
At the end of our investigation, we will decide if anyone has a case to answer and should face a misconduct meeting or hearing.
Campbell concluded, "At the end of our investigation, we will decide if anyone has a case to answer and should face a misconduct meeting or hearing."