Football under 18s banning order figures released
Figures show how many under 18 year-olds have been banned from football matches.
Figures have been released this morning showing over 100 under 18 year olds have been banned from football matches.
This has been revealed after dozens of England fans were arrested during the first week of the Euro 2016 which includes a 16- year old.
Dr Geoff Pearson, is an expert in football policing at the University of Manchester and has expressed his concern about the orders being used on youngsters and the extent that they are being used.
Dr Pearson said “The purpose of Football Banning Orders is to prevent future violence and disorder. However, they are incredibly restrictive. FBO’s don’t just stop you from attending matches they also impose exclusion orders around town centres as well as football stadiums. We should be careful before we impose them on young children.”
There is concern over ‘discrepancies’ within the order between the forces up and down the country and how they use the legislation. Pearson believes that “Different forces use completely different policies in terms of whether football fans are subject to banning orders.”
He thinks that “If they are going to be used they should be tailored to the risk that is posed.”
Police across the country have visited schools to warn pupils that even being verbally abusive at matches could get them banned from following their teams.
There are no recorded bans for under 18 year-olds across Greater Manchester.