A police watchdog has launched an investigation into a former chief constable and three other officers following the controversy over the Maccabi Tel Aviv supporter ban.
Supporters of the Israeli team were barred from travelling to a Europa League match against Aston Villa at Villa Park in November after West Midlands Police submitted a safety report containing incorrect information.
The document contained eight key errors, such as overstating Maccabi fans' involvement in disorder in Amsterdam in 2024 and referring to a non-existent fixture between Maccabi and West Ham, which was reportedly generated using Microsoft Copilot.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced on Wednesday that former West Midlands Police chief Craig Guildford is under investigation for potential gross misconduct over claims he failed to ensure due diligence regarding the report.
Another officer and a police staff member are also under investigation for potential gross misconduct regarding the inaccuracies, while two further officers who assisted in match planning face accusations of potential misconduct.
The decision to prohibit the visiting fans prompted sharp criticism from political figures, including prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who described it as the "wrong decision". The controversy ultimately led Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to state she no longer had confidence in Mr Guildford’s leadership.
Following pressure to step down from his role as chief constable, Mr Guildford announced his retirement, citing what he described as a "political and media frenzy".
On Wednesday, the IOPC stated that investigators have scrutinized operational files, intelligence summaries, meeting minutes, emails and other messaging platforms, alongside interviewing witnesses and experts.
It is alleged that evidence shows Mr Guildford had oversight of the inaccurate briefing document provided to the Birmingham Safety Advisory Group, which heavily influenced the eventual ban.
A second senior serving officer is being investigated for failing to ensure the document was accurate, while a staff member is facing scrutiny for sourcing the incorrect details using AI.
Of the other two senior serving officers subject to investigation, one is accused of failing to balance operational needs with proper engagement with local Jewish communities, as well as showing a lack of impartiality towards Maccabi supporters.
The other officer is being investigated for oversight of the briefing material and a lack of balance regarding the Israeli supporters.
IOPC director of engagement Derrick Campbell, said: "Our investigation to date has been to assess whether there is an indication anyone may have breached one or more of the standards of police professional behaviour.
"We have examined a wealth of material, hundreds of pieces of evidence, and believe there is an indication some people serving with the police may potentially have behaved in a manner that could justify disciplinary proceedings.
"They have been informed their conduct will be investigated.
"At the end of our investigation, we will decide if anyone has a case to answer and should face a misconduct meeting or hearing."