Craig Guildford, Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, has retired with immediate effect following intense scrutiny and political pressure over his force’s recommendation to ban fans of Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending a Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham in November 2025. The decision, originally justified by police intelligence as a necessary safety measure, was later found to be based on exaggerated threat assessments, flawed documentation and AI-generated errors, including references to a match that never took place.

A watchdog review by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary described the intelligence as overstated and criticised the force’s leadership and community engagement, leading Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to declare she had lost confidence in his leadership and call for his departure.

Mr Guildford acknowledged the “political and media frenzy” that had surrounded the issue and said his retirement was in the best interests of the force and the wider community.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster welcomed the decision, saying it preserved organisational stability and avoided protracted dismissal procedures.

The decision has reignited discussions about policing accountability and the use of emerging technologies in security assessments, as the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) indicated it will continue to examine the evidence for any potential misconduct proceedings.

The controversy has also underscored concerns about public trust in law enforcement and the treatment of supporters from international and Jewish communities against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green has been appointed to lead the force in the interim, as leaders and community representatives call for renewed engagement and confidence building across the West Midlands.