"The decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a match against Aston Villa in November was criticised by the prime minister and other politicians, some of whom suggested it amounted to antisemitism. BBC News has obtained a letter from the Dutch police inspectorate in December, which appears to contradict claims made by West Midlands Police about Maccabi fans' previous behaviour, which were used to justify the ban."
"The decision to allow the match to go ahead without Maccabi fans was announced in October, three weeks before the fixture. Aston Villa said the decision had been made by Birmingham's Safety Advisory Group, who deemed the match a "high risk" because of unrest during previous Maccabi matches. Despite criticism from government and opposition politicians, the match went ahead without any away fans present."
West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council banned Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from an Aston Villa fixture in November, citing safety concerns. The Safety Advisory Group announced the decision in October and described the match as "high risk" because of unrest at previous Maccabi fixtures. Government and opposition politicians criticized the ban, with some alleging it amounted to antisemitism. A December letter from the Dutch police inspectorate appears to contradict West Midlands Police claims about Maccabi fans' prior behaviour. Craig Guildford, chief constable, and John Cotton, council leader, will be questioned by the Home Affairs Select Committee. The match proceeded without away fans present.
Read at www.bbc.com
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