West Midlands Police has been accused by Dutch authorities of using false intelligence to justify banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a Europa League match against Aston Villa. The police cited reports of violence and links to the Israeli military among fans during a previous match in Amsterdam, but Dutch police have strongly denied these claims, calling them inaccurate and misleading. The ban led to political backlash, with prominent figures condemning the decision and concerns raised about antisemitism and public safety in Birmingham. Despite government intervention attempts, Maccabi Tel Aviv ultimately declined to allocate tickets to their supporters, citing safety concerns, while the match proceeded under heavy police presence and protest.