U.K. Home Secretary Presses Police Chief to Resign Over Israeli Soccer Fan Ban
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Britain’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood pressured the West Midlands Police chief constable to resign after a watchdog found the force overstated the violence threat posed by Israeli soccer team fans due to intelligence errors.
- The police force was criticized for its role in banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a November 6 match against Aston Villa in Birmingham last year.
- The fan ban led to backlash from Jewish community leaders and politicians in both Britain and Israel.
- Mahmood lost confidence in the police chief following an independent investigation ordered to review the intelligence assessments behind the ban decision.
