West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford has defended the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their team's match against Aston Villa in Birmingham. Guildford told Members of Parliament that the move was based on intelligence from Dutch police, who described the Israeli club's ultras as 'militaristic' and prone to violence, referencing previous incidents in Amsterdam. The ban sparked significant backlash, with critics accusing authorities of yielding to pressure from radical groups and the Israeli embassy condemning the use of what it called 'disproven allegations.' Despite disputes over the accuracy of the intelligence, Guildford maintained that the decision was made to ensure public safety amid heightened tensions and protests surrounding the fixture.