Recommendation 2

West Midlands Police failed to engage directly with the Birmingham Jewish community early enough in relation to this fixture. As a result, West Midlands Police limited their access to information that might challenge their narrative about Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and also underestimated the impact of the decision to ban fans on local Jewish communities. While we have not received any evidence to suggest that antisemitism was a motivating factor in the decision, the failure to consult with the local Jewish population, in contrast to the comprehensive engagement with other communities, significantly damaged relations with the Jewish community, and provided a basis for some to perceive the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans as antisemitic. We welcome the steps that West Midlands Police are now taking to rebuild trust with the Jewish community. (Conclusion, Paragraph 17) 21