LONDON — A former British regional police chief and three other officers are being investigated for misconduct over a decision to ban fans of Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team from attending a game last year, the UK’s independent police watchdog said on Wednesday.

The probe follows reports earlier this year that the ban was based on inaccurate intelligence and may have resulted from bias. The chief constable of West Midlands Police Craig Guildford resigned in the wake of those allegations.

On Wednesday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said it was now investigating Guildford and a staff member for gross misconduct, and three other officers for lesser misconduct offenses.

“We have examined a wealth of material, hundreds of pieces of evidence, and believe there is an indication some people serving with the police may potentially have behaved in a manner that could justify disciplinary proceedings,” IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell said in a statement.

The West Midlands police force, which covers Birmingham in central England and is one of Britain’s biggest, had recommended that the Israeli fans not be allowed to attend a Europa League match against Aston Villa last November because of security concerns.

In European soccer, teams typically allocate a portion of their tickets to be sold by the visiting team, usually in a separate section of the........

© The Times of Israel