West Midlands Police has responded to allegations it had used "false hooligan claims" to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their fixture against Aston Villa.
Supporters of the Israeli club were banned from their Europa League fixture at Villa Park on November 6, after local police concluded it was "high risk" and ultimately recommended they not be allowed to attend.
The ban drew significant criticism, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying it was the "wrong decision".
However, a recent investigation from The Sunday Times suggests that West Midlands Police had claimed in a confidential dossier that prior to Maccabi's fixture against Ajax in Amsterdam last year, Israeli fans had thrown "innocent members of the public into the river".
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They are also said to have added that up to 600 supporters "intentionally targeted Muslim communities", with 5,000 police officers deployed in response.
Netherlands police have questioned these claims. They are even said to have described information cited by British police as "not true" and, in some instances, clearly inaccurate.
Despite this, West Midlands Police have defended their decision. An official statement reads: "West Midlands Police’s evaluation was based primarily on information and intelligence and had public safety at its heart.
"We assessed the fixture between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Amsterdam as having involved significant public disorder.
West Midlands Police has responded to allegations it had used "false hooligan claims" to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their fixture against Aston Villa
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"We met with Dutch police on 1 October, where information relating to that 2024 fixture was shared with us.
"Informed by information and intelligence, we concluded that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters - specifically the subgroup known as the Maccabi Fanatics - posed a credible threat to public safety.
"The submission made to the SAG was based on information and intelligence which helped shape understanding of the risks.
"West Midlands Police commissioned a peer review, which was conducted by UKFPU, the NPCC and subject matter experts.
There was an increased police presence as hundreds of protestors took to the streets
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"This review, carried out on 20 October, fully endorsed the force’s approach and decision-making.
"We are satisfied that the policing strategy and operational plan was effective, proportionate, and maintained the city’s reputation as a safe and welcoming place for everyone."
Sebastiaan Meijer, a spokesman for the Amsterdam division, said he was "surprised" by West Midlands Police's allegations.
When asked about claims that the Israeli supporters were "highly organised, skilled fighters with a serious desire and will to fight with police and opposing groups", he simply responded: "Amsterdam police does not recognise the claim."
Mr Meijer also clarified claims of people being thrown into the river, saying there was only one known case - a man, who appeared to be a Maccabi supporter, was filmed being told he could only leave the water if he said "Free Palestine".
Before the match, West Midlands Police chief superintendent Tom Joyce told Sky News: "We've had examples where a section of Maccabi fans were targeting people not involved in football matches and certainly we had an incident in Amsterdam last year which has informed some of our decision-making.
"So it is exclusively a decision we made on the basis of the behaviour of a sub-section of Maccabi fans, but all the reaction that could occur obviously formed part of that as well."
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