The former chief constable of West Midlands Police is under investigation by the police watchdog for gross misconduct following the decision to ban Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending a match against Aston Villa. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed it is examining Craig Guildford alongside three serving police officers and a staff member in connection with the controversial ban.
The IOPC initiated its independent investigation in January 2026 to scrutinise the involvement of West Midlands Police officers in the planning and preparation of the fixture at Villa Park on 6 November 2025. The decision to exclude Maccabi supporters sparked significant national and international controversy, prompting the government to pledge it would pursue every avenue to overturn the ban.
What were the alleged failings?
The watchdog has identified serious concerns about an intelligence briefing document presented to the safety advisory group (SAG) ahead of the match. According to the IOPC, evidence suggests 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". The briefing is alleged to have "gave an imbalanced view of the risk away fans posed", a characterisation that contributed directly to the decision to ban the supporters.
According to reporting from independent news outlets, the police report contained eight distinct errors, including overstating the role of Maccabi supporters in disorder that occurred in Amsterdam and referencing a non-existent West Ham match. The document was reportedly produced using Microsoft Copilot, an artificial intelligence tool.
What did earlier reviews find?
Prior investigations into the affair had already concluded that West Midlands Police had overstated the threat posed by Maccabi fans while simultaneously understating the risks those supporters themselves faced. Earlier assessments also found that the force conducted minimal engagement with the Jewish community before reaching the ban decision.
The Home Affairs Select Committee subsequently examined the matter in detail. A report published in February 2026 revealed that confidential evidence presented to MPs showed some key claims from West Midlands Police originated from queries made to Microsoft Copilot, raising questions about the reliability of the intelligence used to justify the ban.
What happens next in the investigation?
The IOPC investigation remains ongoing. The watchdog has stated it has examined a substantial body of evidence to determine whether formal misconduct cases should proceed further against those under investigation. The outcome of this process will determine whether Guildford and the other officers and staff member face disciplinary hearings.
Key Facts:
- Craig Guildford, three police officers and one staff member are being investigated for gross misconduct by the IOPC
- The investigation concerns the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from the Aston Villa match on 6 November 2025
- A briefing document used to justify the ban contained eight errors and was reportedly generated using artificial intelligence
- Earlier reviews found West Midlands Police overstated the threat from Maccabi supporters and failed to engage with the Jewish community
- The Home Affairs Select Committee examined the case and published findings in February 2026
