Football Banning Orders
What are Football Banning Orders?
Football Banning Orders (FBOs) are legal measures designed to prevent individuals involved in football-related violence or disorder from attending football matches.
FBOs are court orders issued under the Football Spectators Act 1989. They can be imposed following a conviction for a football-related offence or through a civil application by the police without a conviction. The orders typically last between three to ten years, depending on the severity of the offence.
Conditions of Football Banning Orders
FBOs come with several conditions that the individual must adhere to:
Reporting to a Police Station: The individual must report to a designated police station on match days.
Passport Surrender: The individual may be required to surrender their passport to prevent them from traveling abroad to attend football matches.
Exclusion Zones: The individual is prohibited from entering specific areas around football stadiums on match days.
Relevant Offences
FBOs can be issued for various offences, including:
Public Order Offences: Acts of violence or disorder in connection with a football match.
Alcohol-Related Offences: Possession of alcohol or being drunk while entering or attempting to enter a football ground.
Hate Crimes: Racially or religiously aggravated offences related to football.
Enforcement and Breach
Breaching an FBO is a criminal offence and can result in imprisonment for up to six months. The Football Banning Orders Authority maintains a central register of all FBOs to ensure enforcement.
Recent Cases
Recent cases highlight the ongoing use of FBOs:
Leicester City Incident: Sixteen fans received FBOs following disorder after a Leicester City match.
Bolton Wanderers Fans: Two men were issued FBOs for their involvement in a public fight after an under-21s football game.
Controversies and Arguments Against FBOs
Critics argue that FBOs can be overly punitive and may infringe on individual rights. One major concern is the potential for FBOs to be issued without a criminal conviction, based solely on police applications. This raises questions about the fairness and proportionality of such orders.
There are concerns about the broad conditions imposed by FBOs, such as travel restrictions and exclusion zones, which can significantly impact an individual's personal and professional life. Some argue that these measures can be disproportionate to the offences committed.
There have also been instances where FBOs were perceived as targeting loyal, ordinary fans rather than troublemakers. This has led to debates about the effectiveness and fairness of FBOs in addressing football-related violence.
Sources: cps.gov.uk, sentencingcouncil.org.uk, bbc.co.uk, news.sky.com