News Story

The retired chief constable of West Midlands Police has been referred to the police watchdog over the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans from attending a match against Aston Villa last November.

Craig Guildford, 52, announced his retirement from the force on Friday and West Midlands police and crime commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster, who had the power to sack him but did not, then said Mr Guildford had acted with honour.

But in a statement on Monday, after meeting West Midlands Police’s acting chief and acting deputy chief constables, Mr Foster said: “These matters have had a significant impact on public confidence, and the confidence of particular communities in the West Midlands. This is unacceptable.

“The force know that I expect them to comply with the very highest standards of conduct at all times.

“I will therefore today make a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding any conduct matters by the former chief constable in relation to these events.

“Continuing to hold the force to account for its actions, arising from the ban on away supporters from attending the football match on November 6 remains a top priority.”