West Midlands Police in Crisis Over Fan Ban Fiasco
PCC Simon Foster Slams Banning of Israeli Fans
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has launched a full-scale attack on the force after they controversially banned Israeli supporters from the Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League clash.
At today’s Accountability & Governance Board, Foster didn’t hold back. “This must never happen again,” he declared, branding the fan ban a “catastrophe” that shattered public trust in the police.
Chief Constable Owns Up to Failings
Acting Chief Constable Scott Green publicly apologised for the police operation overseeing the match. He admitted the planning was “damning” and acknowledged the damage done to trust, particularly with Jewish communities both locally and globally.
Foster Moves to Sack Former Chief Constable
Foster revealed he had already begun proceedings to dismiss the former Chief Constable before their retirement. He vowed to keep police leadership under the microscope, working closely with Green to fix the “significant matters” highlighted by inspectors and win back public confidence.
“Without trust and confidence, policing can’t have the consent of the people or be effective,” Foster said. “The police must meet the highest standards for communities across the West Midlands.”
