West Midlands Police has issued a public apology after a watchdog review found serious flaws in its decision to ban supporters of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from a match last year. However, the force's statement notably avoided addressing the future of its Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, who is facing mounting pressure to resign.
Home Secretary Loses Confidence in Police Chief
The controversy centres on the force's move to prevent Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending the UEFA Europa Conference League match against Aston Villa at Villa Park in November. On Wednesday 14 January 2026, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood addressed MPs, stating she had lost confidence in Chief Constable Craig Guildford following a damning preliminary review from the policing watchdog.
Ms Mahmood said the report by Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Andy Cooke revealed evidence of "confirmation bias" and a "failure of leadership" within the force regarding the ban. Her strong criticism placed the Chief Constable's position in serious jeopardy.
Force Apologises But Sidesteps Leadership Question
In its response, West Midlands Police acknowledged the review's findings and offered an apology, but its statement was silent on the fate of Mr Guildford. The force said it had received the preliminary review and accepted that it highlighted the unintentional nature of the errors made.
"We are extremely sorry for the impact these have had on individuals and their communities," the force's statement read. It continued, "We know that mistakes were made but reiterate the findings that none of this was done with an intent of deliberate distortion or discrimination."
Watchdog Findings and Next Steps
The watchdog's review, which has not yet been published in full, appears to have been pivotal in shaping the Home Secretary's stance. The identified issues of "confirmation bias" suggest that decision-making processes were flawed, leading to an unjustified outcome.
The glaring omission of any comment on Chief Constable Guildford's leadership in the police response leaves a significant question unanswered. With the Home Secretary's confidence withdrawn and calls for his resignation growing, the force's senior leadership faces a period of intense scrutiny as the full implications of the report are digested.
