Aston Villa

With Acting Chief Constable Scott Green (right) are Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Parsons, Prof Umbach, Marc Cave and Carol Laser

April 23, 2026, 12:06 pm

West Midlands Police launches anti-Jewish racism training after Maccabi fan ban scandal

The force began the programme after three months of planning and consultation with the Jewish community

By Adam Decker

Pro-Palestinian activists protest with a football-shaped sign and a Palestinian flag outside Wembley Stadium to demand that the Football Association issue a public statement calling for the Israeli Football Association (IFA) to be suspended from participation in UEFA and FIFA tournaments, on October 2, 2025 in London, United Kingdom. (Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images via JTA)

April 20, 2026, 11:24 am

Trump’s antisemitism envoy says US will bar World Cup attendees tied to antisemitism abroad

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun said a report that he said European teams would be targeted specifically were false

By Grace Gilson (JTA)

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster making a statement to the media outside Lloyd House, the headquarters of West Midlands Police (WMP) in Birmingham. The chief constable of WMP Craig Guildford has resisted calls to resign after a highly critical preliminary review into how they handled the decision to ban Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv's fans from a match against Aston Villa in November. Picture date: Friday January 16, 2026.

January 16, 2026, 4:21 pm

West Midlands police chief allowed to retire after Maccabi Tel Aviv match scandal

Craig Guildford to leave the force after watchdog review showed a 'failure of leadership' by local police and the Home Secretary said she had lost confidence in him

By Jewish News Reporter

Police officers detain a pro-Palestine protester outside Villa Park, home of Aston Villa, during the UEFA Europa League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. The local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) opted to block Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending tonight's Europa League tie against Aston Villa following a risk assessment by West Midlands Police, a decision which drew immediate criticism from politicians including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Picture date: Thursday November 6, 2025.

January 16, 2026, 4:21 pm

Leaked audio reveals police claimed locals planned to ‘arm themselves’ in self-defence ahead of Maccabi game

West Midlands superintendent told meeting with Birmingham Jewish community Maccabi Tel Aviv fans planned to cause 'carnage' in city

By Lee Harpin

West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford

December 8, 2025, 9:33 pm

Policing minister declines to say she has ‘confidence’ in West Midlands Police chiefs

Sarah Jones told the Commons it was “clear that mistakes” were made when Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group moved to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from their side’s game against Aston Villa

By Jewish News Reporter

People taking part in a pro-Palestine protest on a bridge over the Queensway in central Birmingham.

November 28, 2025, 10:43 pm

Violence at Villa Park raises new questions about police double standards

Why was an Israel football team treated as if its fans have a huge propensity for violence, while a team from elsewhere with a grim reputation was allowed to bring its supporters?

By Daniel Sugarman

Villa Park (Creative Commons/ Elliot Brown)

November 28, 2025, 10:21 am

MP publishes full West Midlands police Maccabi Tel Aviv report

Nick Timothy asked if the police report was influenced by an group whose founder 'is a former Hezbollah fighter'

By Jewish News Reporter

November 7, 2025, 10:20 am

What does the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban say about the future of Jews in the UK?

Civilised societies balance risk: they manage it, they don’t erase people because of it.

By Leah Stern

November 6, 2025, 9:21 pm

Arrests made amid protests outside Aston Villa-Maccabi Tel Aviv game

Palestinian flags and banners calling for a boycott of Israel were placed on the ground beside Trinity Road amid pro-Palestinian chants

By Jewish News Reporter

Maccabi Tel Aviv celebrate their penalty shoot-out win. Picture: Maccabi Tel Aviv

November 6, 2025, 10:58 am

More than 700 officers deployed and protest planned for Aston Villa-Maccabi game

Police plan major operation as campaigners gather near Villa Park demanding sanctions against Israeli teams

By Jewish News Reporter

November 5, 2025, 8:41 pm

Maccabi Tel Aviv boss Zarko Lazetic sad no fans at Aston Villa match

The league phase match at Villa Park has become a major political issue after the Israeli club’s supporters were banned from attending due to fears over their safety

By Jewish News Reporter

November 3, 2025, 1:52 pm

Aston Villa condemned for snubbing Board plan to enable Maccabi fans to attend match

Birmingham-based club said to have 'fumbled the pass into their own net' after failing to engage with initiative to enable British Jews to support Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park

By Jewish News Reporter

October 22, 2025, 11:52 am

Israeli embassy in UK hits out at ‘hostility’ after Maccabi Tel Aviv row

Consulate highlights 'deeply concerning' wider 'rise in antisemitism, fuelled by hateful chants and the ostracising of Jews for displaying the Star of David'

By Jewish News Reporter

Fans arriving at Villa Park, Birmingham

Nick Potts/PA Wire

October 20, 2025, 9:17 pm

EXCLUSIVE: Maccabi Tel Aviv decide NOT to sell tickets for Villa game over safety fears

Jewish News understands Israeli club will say 'extremist figures' have left them fearing for safety of fans wanting to travel to the game in Birmingham

By Lee Harpin

Screenshot of footage of attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam.

October 17, 2025, 1:07 pm

OPINION: From Birmingham to Amsterdam, the threat against Jews is the same

Beneath the veneer of “community harmony,” the UK faces a new reality – mob rule. The consequences of failing to stand against it will be disastrous

By Daniel Sugarman

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