The FA, Premier League and EFL are introducing new measures and stronger sanctions to tackle the increased anti-social and criminal behaviours that will apply to Leeds United fans and supporters across the country next season.
The changes, which the Football Supporters’ Association has backed, will target activities such as entering the pitch without permission, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyrotechnics and throwing objects - as well as drug use and discriminatory behaviour.
Anyone who invades on the pitch will receive an automatic club ban, with The FA enforcing stricter penalty policies for clubs to ensure they reinforce these measures. Offenders will be reported to the police and appropriate authorities by the clubs. Those reported could end up with a permanent criminal record and even prison sentences depending on the severity of the incident.
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The police forces, the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), and the Crown Prosecution Service will all be involved in the new initiatives. They will help establish a new principle for cases relating to pyrotechnics and smoke bombs, as well as entering the pitch without permission. All parties will work together to achieve a prosecution in these cases will become the default response of the football authorities and criminal justice system, sending an unambiguous message to all who break the law by coming down harder with sanctions.
Other measures to be implemented include working with clubs to enhance search regimes and increasing the use of sniffer dogs at grounds. The Premier League also aims to work with all stakeholders on social media platforms to actively discourage further growth and acceptance of these behaviours and remove videos online of illegal fan behaviour at football matches.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters said about the new measures: “Everyone should feel safe and able to enjoy a football match. Together, with clubs and partners across football, we are making clear the type of incidents we saw last season must stop. If we don’t take collective and sustained action, it may only be a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or worse.
"These new measures are a strong response to a significant increase in fan behaviour issues, but we know it is the minority who have behaved unacceptably and unlawfully. Premier League football should be a fantastic experience for everyone and we don’t want matches to be marred by these sorts of events in the future.”
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