IOPC update on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporter ban investigation

Former West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford, plus three officers and a staff member, have been advised their conduct is being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct relating to the Maccabi Tel Aviv supporter ban in Birmingham. 

We launched an independent investigation in January to examine the involvement of WMP officers in the planning and preparation for a Europa League tie at Villa Park, Aston, on 6 November last year at which Maccabi fans were prohibited.    

The decision attracted national and international debate. Given the significant public interest and concern, we used our powers to proactively call-in the matter for independent scrutiny into West Midlands Police. We subsequently received a conduct referral from the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner in relation to Mr Guildford. 

A dedicated investigation team has examined more than 600 pieces of evidence, including operational documents, reports, intelligence research, minutes of meetings, and a large volume of correspondence including emails and messages. We have also taken witness statements and sought expert witness advice. 

Having examined all evidence currently available to us, we have assessed that there is an indication Mr Guildford, a senior officer, and a staff member may have committed gross misconduct. They have been served notice that we are investigating their conduct. 

Evidence presently available indicates Mr Guildford may have had oversight on an intelligence briefing document presented to the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) that was later reported to have contained inaccuracies and misleading information. We consider Mr Guildford may have failed to ensure due diligence and the highest level of scrutiny over such an influential document.  

It’s alleged the briefing – presented to the SAG on 24 October and which underpinned the decision to ban Maccabi fans – gave an imbalanced view of the risk away fans posed compared to risks they may have faced.

A senior serving officer, who played a lead role in compiling the briefing, is under investigation for allegedly failing to ensure its accuracy, and that they may not have accurately represented some information which could have resulted in the briefing lacking impartiality. 

We will also examine whether the officer may have failed to appropriately handle sensitive intelligence contained in the report before it was shared with SAG members.  

The staff member, who was involved in researching and compiling intelligence for the game, is alleged to have sourced inaccurate information from AI searches and took no subsequent action to help ensure it was not included in briefings.

Two other senior serving officers who played important roles in the force’s planning for the game have been notified they are being investigated for potential misconduct. 

It’s alleged one was not sufficiently diligent in the exercise of their duties in overseeing the operation, including balancing operational needs alongside engaging with local Jewish communities, and that they displayed a lack of impartiality towards Maccabi fans in both external and internal communications. 

The other 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.  

IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell, said: “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.  

“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.  

“They have been informed their conduct will be investigated. At the end of our investigation, we will decide if anyone has a case to answer and should face a misconduct meeting or hearing.  

“All our decisions will be kept under review as our investigation progresses; it’s important to note that the serving of notices does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow.”