Police chief apologises for 'erroneous' Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban evidence, blaming AI

In a report to a council safety advisory group, West Midlands Police referenced a match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and West Ham United that never existed.

Wednesday 14 January 2026 15:40, UK

A pro-Israel demonstrator at the Villa Park match in November. Pic: Reuters
Image: A pro-Israel demonstrator at the Villa Park match in November. Pic: Reuters
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West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford has apologised to MPs for giving them "erroneous" evidence about the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, blaming the use of AI.

It comes as Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, told the Commons on Wednesday there had been "a failure of leadership" after receiving a report on the decision to ban the Maccabi fans from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa in November.

She said the "ultimate responsibility for the force's failure to discharge its duties on a matter of such national importance rests with the chief constable" and that he "no longer has my confidence".

The force has been accused of misrepresenting the threat to justify advocating the exclusion of the Israeli club's fans from the match at Villa Park in Birmingham.

In a report to the Birmingham City Council Safety Advisory Group over whether to prevent supporters from attending the game, West Midlands Police referenced a match between the Israeli club and West Ham United that never happened.

In a letter to the Commons Home Affairs Committee (HAC), Mr Guildford acknowledges that he and Assistant Chief Constable Mike O'Hara had given incorrect evidence about the intelligence on the West Ham match.

They had said it was because of a Google search that was incorrect. Instead, he writes, it was due to the use of the artificial intelligence tool Microsoft Copilot.

He offered his "profound apology" for the error, but added: "I had understood and been advised that the match had been identified by way of a Google search in preparation for attending HAC.

"My belief that this was the case was honestly held and there was no intention to mislead the committee."

Craig Guildford appears before the committee on 6 January. Pic: PA
Image: Craig Guildford appears before the committee on 6 January. Pic: PA

His letter to committee chairwoman Dame Karen Bradley adds: "I would like to offer my profound apology to the committee for this error, both on behalf of myself and that of ACC O'Hara."

The police chief has faced mounting pressure and calls to resign over the ban.

Read more: Watchdog to examine police role in fans ban

The committee listening to evidence from the police chiefs last week. Pic: PA
Image: The committee listening to evidence from the police chiefs last week. Pic: PA

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were barred from travelling to the game by the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which cited safety concerns based on advice from the police force.

This included a reference by the force to the fictional match between the Israeli club and West Ham United.

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The decision by the SAG - which is made up of representatives from the council, police and other authorities - sparked political outrage, including from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Since then, doubts have been growing over the intelligence used by police, including disputes over the accuracy of information.

Mr Guildford has insisted the decision was not politically influenced.

The power to sack Mr Guildford lies with West Midlands police and crime commissioner Simon Foster, who has said he will formally review evidence over decisions made on the ban.

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