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There were at least two opportunities for Birmingham politicians including the Home Secretary to intervene in the Maccabi Tel Aviv Villa Park security row before the controversial ban decision - but nobody acted, BirminghamLive can reveal today.

Shabana Mahmood, whose Birmingham Ladywood constituency border lies a mile from Villa Park, appears to have made no attempt to reassure West Midlands Police's chief constable that extra resources would be there if needed when he flagged that he was wrestling with security concerns around the Europa League match between the Israeli champions and Villa.

Days later, three city councillors had a chance to challenge the force's eventual recommendation to ban away fans at a critical decision-making meeting.

READ MORE: Inside Villa

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