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The truth about the intelligence used by West Midlands Police to prompt a ban on fans from Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv for their Europa League tie against Aston Villa is finally out, despite attempts to suppress it.

The eight-page internal report, leaked to BirminghamLive, revealed that a 'high risk' of disorder triggered by hundreds of 'fighting experienced' hooligans linked to the Israeli club, some with IDF links, was the key reason for the ban.

It also confirms for the first time that West Midlands Police feared there might also be attacks on Maccabi fans as a result of a pro-Palestine, anti-Israel pushback, along with potential trouble from far right activists drawn to the city.

READ MORE: Flare-ups and arrests at Villa-Maccabi protests as police 'keep peace

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