West Midlands Police and its chief constable, Craig Guildford, were heavily criticised after recommending that the fans be barred from the November 6, 2025 UEFA Europa League match against Aston Villa.

“I have come to the conclusion that the political and media frenzy around myself and my position has become detrimental to all the great work undertaken by my officers and staff in serving communities across the West Midlands,” Guildford said in a statement.

Britain’s interior minister, Shabana Mahmood, said Guildford has “done the right thing” by stepping down.

Earlier, Mahmood said she had lost confidence in Guildford, after a preliminary policing watchdog report found the force “overstated” the threat posed by Maccabi fans to justify the ban.