Bristol City have reminded fans that entering the field of play at any stage during Saturday’s final game of the season at Ashton Gate against Burnley is against the law and anyone identified will receive a ban for the start of next season.
With City’s concluding match of the campaign at QPR on May 8, the visit of the Clarets will be their last in BS3 of 2022/23. As is customary after the final whistle, players, staff and their families will take part in a walk of thanks around the field, sharing the moment with fans.
Last season, following the Robins 5-0 win over Hull City, a significant number of supporters spilled onto the Ashton Gate turf at the final whistle to mob players which then subsequently disrupted the post-match walk. Han-Noah Massengo and Antoine Semenyo were among the players who were crowded, albeit mainly of a friendly and celebratory nature.
City weren’t alone in experiencing such scenes, which were potentially also a result of the previous Covid-impacted campaign, but after incidents at the end and during the 2021/22 campaign whereby pitch invasions involved opposition players being attacked, the EFL has worked hard to try and eradicate the unfavourable habit.
City insist that they will be studying CCTV footage and bans could even extend to the parents and guardians of any children being caught.
“Everyone is hugely grateful for your support in the stands this season, and the noise and atmosphere you create is a fundamental part of what makes our club so great,” a statement from City read. “The passionate support of City fans is a vital part of what makes football so special at Ashton Gate. It is completely understandable that emotions run high, particularly at this stage of the season.
“However, we must remind supporters that in the interests of safety and wellbeing for everyone inside our stadiums, the pitch is for players, managers and officials, while the stands are for fans to support their team.
“At the end of last season, the EFL witnessed some unwelcome scenes when fans entered the field of play without permission at several grounds. Even if this is done in celebratory fashion, any supporter who comes onto the pitch is breaking the law and putting the welfare of players, coaches, club staff and fellow fans at risk.
“We know that this unacceptable behaviour is carried out by a minority of fans, and their actions do not represent most supporters, but they risk ruining the fantastic experience of a football match for everyone.
“At the start of this season, the Premier League, EFL and The FA worked with the Football Supporters' Association to introduce new measures and stronger sanctions to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviours, such as entering the pitch and the use of pyrotechnics.
“This includes automatic club bans and police action, and we have seen cases this season which have led to fans receiving criminal records. This can impact employment and education prospects, restrict ability to travel overseas, and could result in a prison sentence.
“Club bans have also been extended to accompanying parents or guardians of children who have taken part in this activity and encouraged their children to go onto the pitch.
“The message to supporters is simple, please respect the players and show your continued support from the stands. The players will perform a lap of appreciation and thank you, but give them their space to thank you with their families in safety.
“Our CCTV at the ground is excellent and anyone identified coming onto the pitch will receive a ban for the start of the new season.”
It is an offence for fans to enter the pitch "without lawful authority or lawful excuse" under the Football Offences Act 1991 - but offenders have not always been prosecuted.
In July last year, the EFL, Premier League and FA introduced tough new measures that can lead to supporters receiving automatic club bans and being reported to police if they’re caught entering the field of play. The sanctions also covered the use of fireworks or flares and drug use inside stadiums.
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