In a letter to the chief constable from Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Committee says the decision to prohibit travelling fans from Villa Park, taken by Birmingham City Council’s Safety Advisory Group and backed by the police, undermines the principle that football is for everyone.
The Committee is now asking the force to explain how they reached its position and what alternatives to a full ban were considered.
The letter also asks whether the police are confident of keeping the away team and staff safe during their visit and what would be needed for the force to be in a position to safely police the match with Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in attendance.
Chair comment
Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, said:
“The move to prevent away fans from attending next month’s match at Villa Park is extremely concerning and is at odds with the principle that football in this country is for everyone.
"The police need to be open about how and why they reached the decision that a ban was the only way of guaranteeing public safety, and whether there is a route to reversing what is a deeply regrettable situation.”
Further information
Image: House of Commons/Roger Harris