Legislation which may be used against Football Supporters
This section is only really useful if you are arrested and are told that one of these Acts is the relevant Act under which you have been arrested and charged.
Public Order Act 1986→
Public Order Act 1986
This Act deals with offences like disorderly conduct and unlawful violence.
Sporting Events Act 1985→
Sporting Events Act 1985
This is the “No Ale On Coaches and Rugby Fans Are Brilliant” Act. It prohibits alcohol on certain vehicles and gives police powers to deal with persons who are drunk or in possession of alcohol, flares, smoke bombs and articles which can be used as missiles at matches.
Police have the power to stop supporters in coaches or minibuses, where they have reasonable grounds to suspect that alcohol is being carried or that the persons on the vehicle are drunk. Police also have the power to stop and search a person under the Act if they have reasonable suspicion that they are committing or have committed an offence under the Act.
The general powers given to the police under this Act state that they may enter any part of the sports ground for the purpose of enforcing the Act. They are not limited to Public parts, and may search any person whom they have reasonable suspicion is or has committed an offence under the Act. However, if the proprietor of the stadium has a condition of search on entry then this should be carried out by the stewards of the ground, and not the police.
Football Spectators Act 1989 and Football (Disorder) Act 2000→
Football Spectators Act 1989 and Football (Disorder) Act 2000
This Act applies to England fans generally. This Act allows the police to arrest and prevent persons identified as potential troublemakers from travelling abroad to attend regulated football matches. They can apply for football banning orders to prevent attendance at regulated football matches, whether played at home or abroad.
If you are made the subject of a football banning order, you have to comply with directions given by the Football Banning Orders Authority – usually that is to attend a police station and/or surrender your passport at specified times.
Football (Offences) Act 1991→
Football (Offences) Act 1991
This created new offences that relate specifically to football grounds. These include throwing a missile, racist or indecent chanting and running onto the pitch.
Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003→
Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003
The police also have the power to disperse groups where persistent anti-social behaviour is being displayed under the Act, in the anticipation of violence, or other offences being committed.
Police Reform Act 2002→
Police Reform Act 2002
If an officer believes that a person is acting in an anti-social manner he may require that person to provide their name and address. If that person fails to give their name and address when required to do so, or gives a false or inaccurate name or address, in response he is guilty of an offence which is punishable by a fine not exceeding £1,000.
