""Our original statement did not go into specifics as it wasn't deemed necessary or helpful at that time. "When the political commentary around antisemitism developed, our priority was to engage key stakeholders within the Jewish community. "We explained the hooliganism element very candidly to them, and we have since been working with those community members on how to deal with what is a very sensitive matter.""
"Jack Angelides, CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv, told the BBC their fans being banned meant it was "time for some introspection and retrospection". Chief Constable Craig Guildford has been asked to appear before The Home Affairs Committee to explain the reasoning behind the ban. He defended the move to the BBC but until now the force had remained tight-lipped over the intelligence the decision was based on."
West Midlands Police confirmed that "significant hooliganism" among Maccabi Tel Aviv fans was the reason for banning them from the Europa League match at Villa Park. More than 700 officers from 20 police forces were deployed near the ground as hundreds took part in demonstrations against the decision. Senior MPs, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, said the ban amounted to antisemitism. Maccabi Tel Aviv's CEO described the ban as prompting introspection. Chief Constable Craig Guildford has been asked to appear before the Home Affairs Committee. Police cited an assessment of risk from admitting travelling fans and engaged Jewish community stakeholders about the hooliganism element.
Read at www.bbc.com
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