West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford has announced his immediate retirement following a damning review into his force's controversial decision to ban fans of an Israeli football club from attending a match.
Mounting Pressure Leads to Sudden Departure
The announcement was made on Friday 16 January 2026 by the region's Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, outside police headquarters in Birmingham. Mr Guildford's decision to step down comes after weeks of mounting pressure for him to resign.
The controversy centred on West Midlands Police's handling of a planned Europa Conference League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv. The force's decision to prohibit away supporters from attending the fixture sparked significant criticism and led to a formal review by a police watchdog.
Watchdog Uncovers 'Failure of Leadership'
The review's findings proved pivotal. The report identified evidence of 'confirmation bias' within the force's decision-making process and pointed to a broader 'failure of leadership'. These conclusions were described as 'damning' by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
In a significant political intervention, the Home Secretary stated she had lost confidence in the senior police boss following the publication of the watchdog's report. This loss of ministerial confidence made Mr Guildford's position increasingly untenable.
Immediate Fallout and Next Steps
Mr Guildford will step down with immediate effect, bringing a swift end to his tenure at the helm of one of the UK's largest police forces. The announcement marks a dramatic conclusion to a saga that has raised serious questions about operational decision-making and leadership within West Midlands Police.
The force must now navigate the aftermath of this leadership crisis while ensuring the operational stability of policing across the West Midlands. The search for a permanent successor to Chief Constable Guildford is expected to begin promptly.
