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UK Police Under Scrutiny Over Last Year's Ban of Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans
Should police chiefs be sacked, or were they right in their handling of tensions?
Above: An advertising van at Villa Park on Nov. 6, 2025 in Birmingham. Image credit: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
West Midlands Police stands by its decision to ban traveling Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. Following internal inquiries, the force is confident that while others tried to influence the decision for political reasons, that was not done by its officers who, in the heat of the developing situation, were trying to make the right decision in the interest of public safety.
Labour Party narrative
As the prime minister and home minister have made clear, the decision from WMP was a mistaken one, particularly as its own review revealed that they could have instead decided to allow a reduced allocation of fans. The government has tasked the Chief Inspector of Constabulary to conduct an urgent investigation into matters.
Right narrative
Islamist extremists planned to attack Jews for attending a soccer match and the response from West Midlands Police was to blame the Jewish people and have them removed from attendance, proceeding to collaborate with the Islamists to cover-up the evidence. This is utterly disgraceful behavior from the police chief — his position in public office is no longer tenable.
Left narrative
Events from Amsterdam and Birmingham seem to serve as a microcosm of the wider conflict between Israel and Palestine. Israelis commit crimes and destroy property, but when the ensuing street justice comes, all the emphasis placed on Israeli victimhood and claims of antisemitism.
Metaculus Prediction
There is a 15% chance that Andy Burnham will win the next U.K. Labour Party leadership election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
The Controversies
Go Deeper
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0