Premier League clubs authorized to impose automatic one-year ban on fans who display anti-social behaviour..

2022-09-23 17:37

Premier League clubs authorized to impose automatic one-year ban on fans who display anti-social behaviour..



The Premier League has announced on Thursday that they have decided to authorize all participating clubs of the league to automatically ban all fans who exhibit anti-social behaviour for at least a year.


According to the statement, after the official Premier League’s shareholders’ meeting on Tuesday British local time, all participating clubs in the league had unanimously passed the motion and agreed to immediately ban fans who exhibit five types of anti-social behaviour.


The statement stated that the five anti-social behaviours referred to are invading the pitch, carrying/lighting smoke bombs, flares and fireworks, throwing objects, discriminatory/violent/criminal behaviour and drug use.


Once any fan was caught engageing in the above behaviour, their club can impose a punishment on the perpetrator, where they will be banned from any access to the stadium and the official stores that the club own for at least one year. If the fan's parents or guardians also participate in the relevant activities, they will also be punished equally. This statement is effective from the announcement's relase and applies to both home and away games.


Fans invading pitches, setting off and throwing smoke bombs, flares and fireworks have become more common in recent years. Although such measurements have also been announced by UEFA in their European competitions, there are very few cases where the authorities have actually taken measures.


At the end of last season alone, there have been three incidents of fans showing anti-social behaviour in the UK. Among them, Manchester City fans smashing the goal post and attacking Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen while a large number of them holding flares when celebrating their title win and Nottingham Forest fans rushed into the field for no reason to beat Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp after winning the Championship play-off semi-finals match chief among them.


Not only that, but before that, in the Premier League, Everton fans were also seen invading the pitch while holding flares during a match against Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur players were almost thrown by fans' flares when celebrating a goal. And Liverpool wonderkid Harvey Elliott was also forced to pick up a fans' flare while celebrating during his side's FA Cup final penalty shootout victory.