Overview
- West Midlands Police leaders were recalled by MPs, who said the force appeared to be "scraping" for reasons to justify barring Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from the 6 November match.
- Senior officers acknowledged errors, including reliance on a Google search, undocumented talks with Dutch police and disputed claims about fan conduct in Amsterdam that Dutch authorities reject.
- Kemi Badenoch said Chief Constable Craig Guildford's position is untenable, and major Jewish groups called for his removal, while Guildford denied political influence and defended the safety rationale.
- Newly released documents cite intelligence that some local groups might arm themselves, while critics say Jewish community leaders were not consulted despite police assertions to the contrary.
- HMICFRS is reviewing how forces supply risk assessments to Safety Advisory Groups with findings due by March 31, and the West Midlands PCC will question senior officers at a public board on January 27, with reports suggesting the home secretary could receive an initial update next week.