The Premier League has announced it will take a stronger approach to tackling criminal and anti-social behaviour next season. The news comes after a number of anti-social incidents marred the end of the 2021/22 campaign with pitch invasions taking place at a number of high profile sporting events.
Football's governing body has laid out new sanctions it will impose if anyone is caught: entering the pitch; using of flares and smoke bombs; throwing objects; discriminatory behaviour or found taking drugs. From the start of Season 2022/23, any identified offenders will be reported by clubs to the police and prosecution could result in a permanent criminal record, which may affect their employment and education, and could result in a prison sentence. The FA will also be enforcing a tougher charging and sanctioning policy for clubs, which will reinforce these measures .
Furthermore, anyone who enters the pitch and those identified carrying or using pyrotechnics or smoke bombs will now receive an automatic club ban. These bans could also be extended to accompanying parents or guardians of children who take part in these activities.
