Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
5th Report - Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban
Home Affairs Committee
HC 1553
Published 22 February 2026
Recommendations
8
Deferred
The Cabinet Office’s review of guidance to Safety Advisory Groups should identify whether more guidance...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Home Office
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14
Deferred
The Government should give serious consideration to the proposal to introduce a new category for...
Recommendation
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 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.
Home Office
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Conclusions (3)
4
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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.
7
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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.
12
Conclusion
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 …
Government Response 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.