The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened a gross misconduct investigation into Craig Guildford over the Maccabi fans Aston Villa ban, adding another major layer to a case that has already drawn national and international attention.
The issue centres on the decision to prevent Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending the Europa League fixture at Villa Park on 6 November 2025. That ruling was made by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group, which included West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council, after a report used in the process contained inaccuracies.
Why the case has escalated
Sir Andy Cooke said the watchdog had identified a series of serious concerns around the handling of the matter. He said: "I have several other concerns including, but not limited to, inaccurate information in written communication, a failure to engage with the local Jewish community early enough and poor record keeping and retention of important information,"
That is significant because the original ban was never just a local football issue. It became a political and public-order controversy, with the government saying it would do everything in its power to overturn it.
The report used in the decision included inaccuracies, including a non-existent Maccabi and West Ham game. In January, West Midlands Police admitted that it overstated the evidence used to make the decision to ban the Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. That admission is now part of a wider investigation into how the case was handled.
The role of West Midlands Police
In January, the IOPC launched an independent investigation into the involvement of West Midlands Police officers in the planning and preparation of the match at Villa Park. The new gross misconduct probe into Craig Guildford goes further, focusing on the former chief constable himself.
Guildford retired in January after Downing Street and the home secretary said they had lost confidence in his leadership. The current watchdog move means the scrutiny around this episode is not easing; if anything, it is deepening.
The key question now is not simply whether the ban was controversial, but whether those responsible for advising on it relied on inaccurate information and failed in the basic standards expected of such a sensitive decision.
For Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, the consequence was clear on the night of 6 November 2025: they were not allowed inside Villa Park. For West Midlands Police, the case now shifts from a disputed public-order call to a formal investigation into the leadership and handling behind it.
