Police have revealed to Sky News they banned Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa due to "significant levels of hooliganism" in the fan base jeopardising safety around the match - rather than threats to visiting Israelis.

This is the first time a West Midlands Police chief has publicly explained the intelligence behind the decision that was angrily opposed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The revelation to us comes after MPs on the Home Affairs Committee this week asked for police to explain the decision.

Excluding Israeli fans was portrayed by the government as antisemitic by turning part of Birmingham into a no-go zone for Thursday night's Europa League match.

"We are simply trying to make decisions based on community safety, driven by the intelligence that was available to us a

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