Pitch invaders at English football will be banned from stadiums and reported to police under new measures agreed by the game’s authorities.
The crackdown will lead to supporters facing the same sanction if found with fireworks or flares, commonly known as “pyro”, in grounds and for throwing objects or drug use. The new rules follow multiple scenes of disorder at the close of the last domestic season.
A hardline approach agreed between the Premier League, EFL and Football Association comes into immediate effect. The length of any ban has not been determined but they are expected to be valid for one year.
“Together, with clubs and partners across football, we are making clear the type of incidents we saw last season must stop,” the Premier League’s chief executive, Richard Masters, said. “If we don’t take collective and sustained action, it may only be a matter of time before someone is seriously injured, or worse.”
Any fan who runs on to the pitch or carries or uses pyro will be subject to an automatic club ban, with bans possibly extended to parents or guardians if the offenders are under the age of 18. Individuals will also be reported to police, with the football authorities pledging to work together to achieve prosecutions.
Further efforts will be undertaken in an attempt to influence the culture that has led to an uptick in disorder since fans returned to grounds after lockdown. The authorities say they will ask social media companies to remove content featuring pitch invasions and pyro, claiming that videos showing the Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen being hit by an Everton fan have been viewed more than four million times. Broadcasting companies have already been asked to move their cameras away from pictures of burning flares.
The authorities said they had written to the policing minister, Tom Pursglove, asking that the government tighten rules on the sale of flares and other pyro.
“Football stadiums must be a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment for all, and it is the responsibility of everyone in the game, including governing bodies, clubs, players, coaches, and fans, to ensure that we all play our part in protecting our game and each other,” said the FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham.
The rules go hand in hand with government measures to clamp down on drug use amongst football fans, with cocaine expected to be added to the list of offences which could generate a football banning order. More stringent searches are also set to take place at grounds.
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The Football Supporters’ Association supported the new sanctions, as did the players’ union the PFA. “We are contacted by supporters on a fairly regular basis who have been caught jumping on the pitch, or with pyro in the stands, and without exception they regret doing it,” said the FSA’s Kevin Miles.
Maheta Molango, the chief executive of the PFA said: “For those on the pitch, we know that this response will only be judged by its effectiveness. Consistent and proper enforcement of laws that are already in place is needed. There also needs to be planned and targeted investment in security around games where we know that flashpoints may be more likely to occur.”
