Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
4
Conclusion
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban
Deferred
Given the damage caused to community relations by the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, it is surprising and disappointing that Assistant Chief Constable O’Hara was not more precise in his remarks about whether Jewish representatives had supported the ban. However, we note his personal apology to representatives of …
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Given the damage caused to community relations by the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, it is surprising and disappointing that Assistant Chief Constable O’Hara was not more precise in his remarks about whether Jewish representatives had supported the ban. However, we note his personal apology to representatives of the local Jewish community and have no evidence to suggest that ACC O’Hara intended to mislead the Committee on this point. More concerning is the fact that the Safety Advisory Group was incorrectly briefed on several occasions that the Jewish community had been consulted; West Midlands Police clearly believed that consulting the Community Security Trust was equivalent to consulting the Jewish community and did not attach significant priority to engaging the local community directly. This falls some way short of the level and quality of community engagement that the Birmingham residents are entitled to expect from their police service. (Conclusion, Paragraph 21)
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Government response AI summary
The government is considering a formal escalation mechanism for Safety Advisory Group recommendations but will wait for the UK Resilience Academy's review of Safety Advisory Group guidance and HMICFRS inspection before exploring the issue further.
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Home Office
7
Conclusion
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban
Deferred
It is particularly surprising that firm challenge was not applied given the political sensitivity of this decision. The Safety Advisory Group recognised this in asking West Midlands Police for a clearer recommendation and clearer justification to exclude away fans. However, the Safety Advisory Group clearly lacked the ability to consider …
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It is particularly surprising that firm challenge was not applied given the political sensitivity of this decision. The Safety Advisory Group recognised this in asking West Midlands Police for a clearer recommendation and clearer justification to exclude away fans. However, the Safety Advisory Group clearly lacked the ability to consider issues other than narrow safety considerations, including community cohesion and both local and national political consequences. The Safety Advisory Group process rightly focuses on safety but in instances where judgements around safety may be politicised and have national as well as local political ramifications, Safety Advisory Groups are not equipped to challenge the evidence they receive or balance local and national considerations. (Conclusion, Paragraph 31)
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the limitations of Safety Advisory Groups in politicized situations and is reviewing SAG guidance to ensure members can challenge effectively, but does not recommend introducing a formal escalation mechanism until cross-government partners and stakeholders fully explore the issues, informed by ongoing work.
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Home Office
8
Recommendation
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban
Deferred
The Cabinet Office’s review of guidance to Safety Advisory Groups should identify whether more guidance is needed on the level of challenge that Safety Advisory Groups should be resourced to provide. The Government should also consider whether an escalation process is required in the rare cases where the decisions of …
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The Cabinet Office’s review of guidance to Safety Advisory Groups should identify whether more guidance is needed on the level of challenge that Safety Advisory Groups should be resourced to provide. The Government should also consider whether an escalation process is required in the rare cases where the decisions of Safety Advisory Groups may have broader community and political consequences. (Recommendation, Paragraph 32)
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Government response AI summary
The government is undertaking a review of Safety Advisory Group guidance but defers introducing a formal escalation mechanism until issues have been fully explored, including the designation of events of national significance; ongoing work will inform this consideration.
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Home Office
12
Conclusion
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban
Deferred
The principle of police operational independence is an extremely important one, so it is right that Ministers are cautious about intervening in police decision-making. However, by intervening only after the decision to ban away fans was taken, the Government increased tension around the fixture but was ineffectual in enabling Maccabi …
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The principle of police operational independence is an extremely important one, so it is right that Ministers are cautious about intervening in police decision-making. However, by intervening only after the decision to ban away fans was taken, the Government increased tension around the fixture but was ineffectual in enabling Maccabi Tel Aviv fans to attend the fixture, which reflects unfavourably on the culture of the Home Office. While the Home Secretary herself was not informed directly, it is clear that both the Home Office and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport were informed on 8 October 2025 that Maccabi fans were likely to be banned from attending the match against Aston Villa. If the Government had intervened privately at this point, to make its preference known, and to offer assurances that the Government was prepared to support with additional resources, a different outcome might have been achieved. The Home Office failed to recognise the significance of the decision and escalate appropriately, which is surprising given that it had already been asked by No. 10 for information regarding the fixture. We believe that early intervention could have been achieved in a way that was sensitive to operational independence. This would have been preferable to the action the Government did take in publicly challenging a policing decision before the event had taken place, without full consideration of the evidence that supported that decision. (Conclusion, Paragraph 47)
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Government response AI summary
The government is considering whether a formal designation mechanism could strengthen cross-government coordination for events that may present exceptional challenges but will await a HMICFRS report before finalising proposals or setting out next steps.
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Home Office
14
Recommendation
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban
Deferred
The Government should give serious consideration to the proposal to introduce a new category for football matches of national significance, with a process for designation, to provide a stronger basis for intervention in the future. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49) 24 Conclusion
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The Government should give serious consideration to the proposal to introduce a new category for football matches of national significance, with a process for designation, to provide a stronger basis for intervention in the future. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49) 24 Conclusion
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Government response AI summary
The government recognises the Committee's interest in designating events of national significance, but defers action pending the outcome of an HMICFRS report and further development of options to test with policing, local authorities, and event organisers.
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Home Office