West Midlands police chief admits AI error over Maccabi Tel-Aviv fan ban | OneFootball

West Midlands police chief Craig Guildford has admitted that flawed AI-sourced information informed the recommendation to ban Maccabi Tel-Aviv fans from travelling to Aston Villa for a Europa League tie. The call was made in October ahead of matchday four.

According to L'Équipe, Guildford told MPs in a letter that a search on Microsoft’s Copilot produced incorrect details, including a fictitious West Ham v Maccabi Tel-Aviv match, and he issued a sincere apology.

Earlier in January, he had denied using AI, saying it was a Google search. Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has called for him to be sacked.

The Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel-Aviv game at Villa Park on six November 2025 was designated high risk by local police, who cited previous incidents, including clashes at Ajax v Maccabi Tel-Aviv in 2024. Police vans were stationed outside the ground alongside pro-Palestinian signs before kick-off.

The travel ban provoked strong reactions in England and Israel. Prime minister Keir Starmer criticised it as a wrong decision, while the Israeli federation president said it was unjustified and unreasonable.

Source: L'Équipe