Written by John T. Wendt, J.D., M.A., Professor Emeritus of Ethics and Business Law at the University of St. Thomas.
Under the Football Offences Act 1991, it is considered a offense for an individual to enter the designated football match playing area or any nearby area where spectators are not usually allowed, without a valid excuse or lawful authority. In this case, a young man from Winsford, Cheshire, who later confirmed his identity as a 16-year-old, was arrested on suspicion of encroaching onto the pitch at Anfield. As the Liverpool players were celebrating their seventh goal, the young man charged onto the pitch to join them. However, he lost his balance and collided with both Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson, causing them discomfort. Robertson went down clutching his ankle, but was still able to finish the match, as was Jones. Stewards promptly escorted the fan off the pitch, while Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp, visibly furious, berated the young man. The stewards then led the young man away to the police, as confirmed by Merseyside Police.
“[4] (Emphasis added). These actions are risky, unlawful, and carry significant consequences. If proven guilty of the offense of trespassing onto the field without authorization, the perpetrator could receive a criminal record and a lifelong prohibition from Anfield and all Premier League stadiums. The club will now adhere to its formal disciplinary procedure and has temporarily suspended the accused individual’s account until the process concludes. The safety and security of players, colleagues, and supporters are of utmost importance. There is no justification for this unacceptable and hazardous conduct. Liverpool FC issued a statement stating that the Club “has initiated an immediate inquiry to identify and prohibit the person who ran onto the pitch during Sunday’s Premier League match against Manchester United at Anfield.
During the 2021 seasons, there were a number of instances of fan violence and pitch invasions. Robert Biggs, a Nottingham Forest supporter, admitted to the police that he had downed six pints of beer before the game and pleaded guilty to assaulting and being jailed for 24 weeks. United Sheffield’s captain, Billy Sharp, required four stitches after being headbutted by Biggs, who ran onto the pitch before half-time. In another game, a fan pushed Jordan Bowery of Mansfield, and pyrotechnics (flare) were thrown onto the pitch between Mansfield and Northampton. Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was involved in an altercation with an Everton fan during a pitch invasion.
“[6] We can celebrate things without threatening our opponents and ourselves. We should make sure that absolutely nothing happens. I really hope we learn from that, it’s dangerous. I understand the emotions for the other team, but I don’t want to judge,” said Jurgen Klopp at the time. Responses came from clubs and managers. [7] It is a major concern at this moment. It is a major concern at this moment. During the Covid period, we missed the fans. I don’t think we’re doing enough about it security-wise. It is a major concern at this moment. In society in general, you can’t physically or verbally abuse anyone on the street, but you are allowed to do it in football for some reason. I don’t want managers and people to be attacking and running, but I want you to wobble a bit and come to your senses,” said Dean Smith, the manager of Norwich City.”
In March 2018, the Football Association fined West Ham United £100,000 for pitch invasions that occurred during their match against Burnley at London Stadium. Similarly, UEFA’s Disciplinary and Ethics Control Body fined Manchester City €5,000 in 2021 for a pitch invasion that took place after the club’s 1-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at Etihad Stadium.
The joint statement issued by the English Football Association (FA) and the English Football League (EFL) announced a new plan with stronger sanctions and measures to address the problem. Starting with the 2022-23 season, these cases will result in the automatic banning of individuals who break the law, sending a clear and unambiguous message to the criminal justice system and football authorities. This means that in order to achieve successful prosecutions in these cases, cooperation will be required from the parents or guardians of children who participate in these activities. Additionally, these bans could also be extended to the parents or guardians accompanying the children. Anyone identified as using or carrying smoke bombs, pyrotechnics, or any other prohibited items on the pitch will face a prison sentence, which could have a permanent impact on their education and employment opportunities. Offenders will be reported to the police and clubs, and their identification will result in a permanent criminal record.
Richard Masters, the CEO of the Premier League, stated, “These new measures are a robust response to a significant rise in fan behavior issues, but we are aware that it is only a small number of individuals who have acted inappropriately and unlawfully. We aim to prevent future occurrences of such incidents and ensure that Premier League football remains an incredible experience for everyone.” Mark Bullingham, the CEO of the FA, emphasized the importance of creating safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environments in football stadiums for all individuals involved in the game, including governing bodies, clubs, players, coaches, and fans. Trevor Birch, the CEO of the EFL, highlighted the unique experience of watching one’s team live and explained that the English professional game has taken collective action to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, including fans, players, club staff, and match officials. Kevin Miles, the CEO of the Football Supporters’ Association, acknowledged that they often receive messages from supporters who have engaged in activities such as pitch jumping or using pyrotechnics in the stands. Regardless of their intentions, these actions are illegal, and individuals will face prosecution and bans imposed by their respective clubs.
Over 350 Football Banning Orders (FBOs) were issued in the 2021-2022 period primarily for the use of pyrotechnics. When an offender is convicted of a relevant offense, the court must impose an FBO. These orders can prohibit individuals from attending football matches. The courts have the power to implement Football Banning Orders (FBOs) under these Acts, aiming to prevent violence or disorder at or in connection with regulated football matches. In order to address such misconduct, Parliament passed several significant pieces of legislation, including the Football Spectators Act 1989 and the Football Disorder Act 2000, in response to a series of high-profile incidents of hooliganism and violence that occurred in English Football’s history.
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Would it be an experience to just be a part of American Football? Should we bring back the “Eagles Court” that was presided over by Judge Seamus McCaffery and held inside the Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia? Should there be a lifetime ban from every NFL stadium? How would this play out in the United States? Is this just a part of the British Football Experience? Some may say that these activities are too strict or that they may also apply to children whose guardians or parents accompany them. Let’s not forget that these new regulations also include a lifetime ban from all Premier League stadiums and an automatic club ban as the default position.
Roddy Cons, a Liverpool supporter who was recently apprehended for an alleged “tackle” on Andy Robertson, is now confronting the possibility of a permanent prohibition from attending matches. This information was last updated on March 6, 2023 and can be found at https://en.As.Com/soccer/liverpool-fan-arrested-and-faces-lifetime-ban-for-tackle-on-andy-robertson-n/ on Diario AS.
A teenager was apprehended after colliding with a pitch invader during Manchester United’s 7-0 loss, as reported by Patrick Edrich and Chris Slater of the Manchester Evening News on March 6, 2023.
[3] Legislation.Gov.UK, Football (Offences) Act 1991, (1991), https://www.Legislation.Gov.Uk/ukpga/1991/19/section/4 (last accessed Mar 6, 2023).
[4] Liverpool Football Club, Liverpool FC announcement: Field participant at Anfield, (2023), //www.Liverpoolfc.Com/news/liverpool-fc-statement-pitch-runner-anfield (last accessed Mar 6, 2023).
On May 19, 2022, a supporter was sentenced to prison for headbutting a player at the conclusion of a game, as reported by BBC News. The incident can be read about on the BBC News website at https://www.Bbc.Com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-61505835 (accessed on March 7, 2023).
[6] Katie Falkingham, Pitch invasions and violence – what is happening?, BBC Sport, May 20, 2022, https://www.Bbc.Com/sport/football/61518907 (last visited Mar 6, 2023).
[7] Id.
What does the law say about pitch invasions – and how can fans and clubs be punished? Karen Roberts, in her article for NationalWorld on March 6, 2023 (https://www.Nationalworld.Com/news/crime/football-pitch-invasions-what-does-law-say-current-punishments-stadium-closures-3703137), explores this topic.
[9] The Premier League, the English sport brings together to strengthen measures on fan conduct, (2022), https://www.Premierleague.Com/news/2689438 (last accessed Mar 6, 2023).
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Id.
[13] Legislation.Gov.UK, Football Spectators Act 1989, (1989), https://www.Legislation.Gov.Uk/ukpga/1989/37/contents (last accessed Mar 8, 2023).
[14] Legislation.Gov.UK, Football (Disorder) Act 2000, (2000), https://www.Legislation.Gov.Uk/ukpga/2000/25/contents (last accessed Mar 8, 2023).
[15] Legislation.Gov.UK, Football-related arrests and banning orders, England and Wales: 2021 to 2022 season, GOV.UK (2022), https://www.Gov.Uk/government/statistics/football-related-arrests-and-banning-orders-england-and-wales-2021-to-2022-season/football-related-arrests-and-banning-orders-england-and-wales-2021-to-2022-season (last visited Mar 8, 2023).
The paper titled “Defining & Refining the Optimal Method of Spectator Management: A Critical Evaluation of the Regulation of Football Spectatorship” by Ashley Lowerson provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulation of football spectators and proposes ways to improve the current methods. The paper can be accessed at the following link: https://e-space.Mmu.Ac.Uk/630459/1/Ashley%20Lowerson%2018003539%20-%20Thesis%20-%20Final%20Copy.Pdf.
[17] Id.