Microsoft AI assistant Copilot is facing renewed scrutiny after a serious error made its way into a UK police intelligence report. The mistake stemmed from Copilot inventing a football match that never happened — and authorities used that false information to classify a real match as high risk.
The incident raises fresh concerns about how organizations verify AI-generated data, especially as Microsoft continues expanding Copilot across Windows 11 and enterprise systems.
Copilot Invented a Match That Never Existed
The issue surfaced after the chief constable of West Midlands Police admitted that Copilot generated incorrect information for an intelligence report. The AI hallucinated a match between West Ham and Maccabi Tel Aviv — a game that never took place.
Officers included the fabricated detail in an official report without verifying the source. That incorrect data later influenced how officials assessed risk levels for a Europa League fixture involving Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Authorities labeled the match as high risk due to supposed past incidents tied to the imaginary game.
Israeli Fans Were Banned Based on the Faulty Report
The inaccurate report had real consequences. Officials barred Israeli fans from attending a match against Aston Villa last year after safety advisors relied on the flawed intelligence.
What made the situation worse was the initial response from the police. The department first denied using AI and blamed the error on social media scraping. Officials later pointed to a Google search result. Only after further review did leadership confirm that Copilot produced the faulty information.
The reversal triggered public criticism and raised questions about accountability when AI systems influence operational decisions.
Microsoft Urges Users to Verify AI Output
Microsoft warns users that Copilot can generate incorrect results. The company says Copilot pulls information from multiple web sources and encourages users to review citations before trusting the output.
Microsoft also stated that it could not replicate the exact behavior reported by the police. However, the company emphasized that users must validate AI-generated content, especially in high-risk environments.
The incident shows what happens when teams treat AI responses as factual data rather than starting points for research.
See also: Do You Need a Copilot+ PC to Be Future-Ready on Windows 11?
Microsoft continues integrating Copilot deeper into Windows 11, File Explorer, and enterprise productivity tools. Many users already express frustration over how aggressively the assistant appears throughout the operating system.
This case adds another layer of concern. If organizations fail to apply strict verification workflows, AI hallucinations can influence decisions with legal, safety, and financial consequences.
AI tools accelerate research and productivity, but they still require human oversight. When teams skip validation, small errors can quickly escalate into serious outcomes.
