Craig Guildford in a picture. He is in a West Midlands Police Office. He is wearing full uniform. He has a black coat on and a black tie. He is a bald man.
Josh Sandiford
in Birmingham
The chief constable of West Midlands Police has defended his force after Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were banned from a fixture with Aston Villa.
An announcement by Birmingham's safety advisory group (SAG) that fans of the Israeli club would be banned from next month's Europa League match was widely condemned before Maccabi Tel Aviv said they would decline their ticket allocation anyway over to safety concerns.
Craig Guildford said on Wednesday he respected the controversial decision, which was based on intelligence from his officers.
"Birmingham hasn't failed anybody and neither has West Midlands Police," he insisted.
Birmingham's SAG, which is the body responsible for issuing safety certificates for matches, informed Villa no travelling fans would be permitted at the match last week.
The government said the decision was not acceptable and it would fund any necessary policing operation to allow Maccabi's fans to attend.
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West Midlands Police
Villa warn fans against political messaging
A view from the outside of Villa Park
Maccabi Tel Aviv fan ban 'poses risk of violence'
A blue Aston Villa flag is waved inside the stadium before a match. It says Up the Villa on it in maroon writing. Fans can be seen in grandstands around the pitch.
Maccabi Tel Aviv will not accept Villa tickets
Villa Park
Related internet links
Aston Villa Football Club
West Midlands Police