The West Midlands Police chief who sparked outrage by banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa game has suddenly quit. Craig Guildford’s shock retirement comes amid a fierce political storm and media backlash.
Chief Constable Quits as Controversy Boils Over
Craig Guildford has stepped down immediately after months of intense pressure. The football fan ban set off a political firestorm, forcing the top cop to call it quits. In his resignation statement, Guildford said:
“The political and media frenzy around myself and my position has become detrimental to the outstanding work undertaken by my officers and staff across the West Midlands. I have concluded that retirement is in the best interests of the force, myself and my family.”
Guildford, who joined the force in 1994 and led it since 2022, was earning £231,198 a year.
Fan Ban Fallout: Scandal and Scrutiny
The trouble started in November 2025 when West Midlands Police advised banning Israeli supporters from the Europa League clash at Villa Park over fears of violence. This decision sparked a wave of outrage, with even the Prime Minister weighing in.
- Top officers faced tough questions in Parliament over alleged threat exaggerations.
- Guildford admitted giving “erroneous” evidence to MPs, blaming Microsoft’s AI Copilot for the mix-up.
- His sudden retirement follows a scathing report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, which exposed major failings in the force’s handling of the affair.
Government Weighs In: “He’s Done the Right Thing”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who recently lost confidence in Guildford, backed his resignation:
“The findings of the Chief Inspector were damning. By stepping down, Craig Guildford has done the right thing today. This marks a crucial first step to rebuilding trust and confidence in the force.”
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster also praised Guildford’s service and confirmed Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green will act as interim chief:
“This retirement prevents a complex, distracting process. We are committed to rebuilding trust and addressing the concerns raised by the inspectorate.”
Local MP Slams “Political Scapegoating”
Aston Villa MP Ayoub Khan condemned the move to sack Guildford, calling the whole saga a “dark and shameful chapter”:
“An honourable man has been ruthlessly scapegoated for protecting Birmingham’s public safety. Birmingham deserved better and so did its police.
With trust in West Midlands Police on shaky ground, the force faces a tough road ahead to regain public confidence.
