The Premier League has agreed to introduce new safety measures to prevent crowd trouble and misbehaviour at games with clubs unanimously agreeing for away teams to provide additional stewards for matches on the road.
Several top-flight fixtures were marred by pitch invasions towards the tail end of the 2021/22 season, with the highest-profile incidents seeing Aston Villa’s goalkeeper Robin Olsen attacked by invading Manchester City fans and Crystal Palace players and manager Patrick Vieira involved in altercations with Everton supporters following two pitch invasions at Goodison Park.
The latter sparked an investigation by Merseyside Police which was later closed, though the English Football Association is still gathering information and evidence on the matter and are expected to present its findings in the near future following contribution from Palace.
READ MORE: Crystal Palace to speak to the FA about Everton pitch invasion
Speaking about the rise of pitch invasions at games, Vieira told reporters: “There are real issues here to reflect on and try to see what is the best way to manage it and to deal with it. You don't know what can happen. When you don't know what can happen of course you fear for anything, for the players. We want to be safe and the best way to do that is we need to reflect on what is the best way for those kinds of things not to happen on the field. As a coach, manager, player or staff we want to be safe in our workplace.”
Now, following discussions between the Premier League and its member clubs, it has been decided that more will be done next season to stop crowd trouble. Clubs have unanimously agreed on the requirement for visiting clubs to provide stewards for away matches in order to improve safety for supporters.
“It is vital that everyone feels safe at a match,” Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said. “Supporters must be reminded it is illegal to enter the pitch at any time. To be clear, this area is unequivocally for football and, under no circumstance should players, managers, match officials or staff fear for their safety - just as fans should remain protected in the stands.”
There have also been safety concerns over the increasing use of pyrotechnics and missiles disrupting matches, with flares now spotted at more and more matches and disrupting play. The use of flares is illegal in football, though the devices can be easily purchased online and regularly get snuck into stadiums despite security checks for supporters on entry to most grounds.
At the same match at Goodison Park where Vieira was confronted by pitch invaders, several Palace players had lit flares brandished in their faces by Everton fans. Toffees striker Richarlison was also charged by the FA in May for throwing a lit flare back into the stands after he scored in the 46th minute in a 1-0 win over Chelsea.
"In addition, we have seen an increase in the use of pyrotechnics and missiles, both of which are not only a criminal offence, but can cause serious injury,” added Masters. “These types of incidents must stop and new measures for next season will make that clear – the League fully supports club and football-wide bans for offenders.
"It is the minority who are behaving unacceptably and they risk ruining the matchday experience for the vast majority of law-abiding fans. Crowd behaviour is an issue we and our clubs are addressing as a matter of urgency, in collaboration with partners and relevant authorities."
