Home Office announces football banning order limits extended

The Home Office has announced tougher penalties to tackle football disorder. It is set to remove existing time limitations on banning order laws, which prevent known troublemakers from attending domestic matches and traveling to overseas matches.

Sections of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 which come into force tomorrow (April 6) will enshrine on the statute book two banning order measures which were due to expire on August 27 2007. The measures include giving police power to require known troublemakers to surrender their passports five days prior to an overseas match or tournament and the ability of the police to make the case for a banning order based on complaint, rather than just based on conviction of a football-related offence.

Powers to apply for banning orders will be extended for the first time to the Crown Prosecution Service and the British Transport Police. These powers have previously been limited to local chief police officers.

Ticket touting laws will also be extended to cover the sale of unauthorised football match tickets on the internet, leading to a maximum fine of £5,000. It will also become illegal to advertise the unauthorised sale of match tickets.

Home Office Minister Vernon Cooker said: “Banning orders have transformed the behaviour of unruly football supporters. Arrests at home and abroad continue to fall and these new measures will help build on that progress.

“The Home Office and police are working closely with their counterparts around Europe and with UEFA. Our banning order strategy is based on partnerships with supporter groups and the police. This model is now being replicated around the globe.”

Arrests for violent disorder in connection with domestic and international football matches have fallen by 32 per cent in each of the last two seasons.

ACPO lead on football-related issues and Assistant Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Stephen Thomas, said: “These measures will strengthen the current legislation to ensure that those people who present a risk to others’ safety and enjoyment are banned from attending games. Our message has always been clear – if you behave badly you will be banned.”