New unauthorised entry offence and police collaboration needed to boost sport fan safety, say MPs

The creation of a new criminal offence of unauthorised entry to a football match and bolstering collaboration between UK and overseas police are among recommendations from MPs on how to improve safety at sporting events at both home and abroad.

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Today’s report from the Culture Media and Sport Committee comes after its inquiry examining safety spectator issues following the disorder at Wembley at the Euro 2020 final and the chaotic scenes faced by Liverpool supporters caused by police failings at the Champions League final in Paris last year.

In a week when hundreds of thousands of fans will be attending football and other big sports fixtures, the Committee concludes that while sporting bodies have learned lessons from past disasters and improved stadiums and policing, sporting events are still not environments that ensure all fans are able to attend.

The disorder at Wembley in 2021 included instances of people without tickets attempting to enter the stadium using fakes, tailgating or through force. Warning that the lack of a distinct criminal penalty is allowing the practice to continue seemingly unchallenged, the Committee backs the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill introduced by committee member Kevin Brennan MP and urges the Government to ensure the legislation is passed.

The Bill would create an offence of unauthorised entry at football matches and allow a football banning order to be imposed on conviction.

The report also calls for the expansion of safe standing trials, for police and clubs to take the use of Class A drugs at sporting events more seriously, steps to monitor and tackle anti-social behaviour and discrimination and for measures to ensure stadiums are accessible for all.

On protecting fans abroad, the Committee describes as ‘disgraceful’ the treatment of Liverpool fans by French authorities at the 2022 Champions League final, with their approach worsened by attempts to blame Reds supporters.

Evidence received by the Committee suggests that the attitude of foreign police forces to British fans heavily contributed to the chaos. The report therefore recommends that the Government works with overseas counterparts to bolster the role of British police travelling with fans and their collaboration with local forces.

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the CMS Committee, said: “Fans flocking to festive fixtures at this time of year should be able to enjoy time with family and friends in sports grounds that are secure, inclusive and welcoming environments.

“Sadly, the rise in disorder at football post-pandemic and near disasters that occurred at Wembley and in Paris have shown there is much to be done to ensure a safe time for all. The Government, police, clubs and governing bodies all have a role to play.

“Tailgating and other forms of unauthorised entry into grounds are an increasing problem at high-profile matches putting safety at risk from overcrowding. Those involved should know that they will face consequences and the Government should back legislation to ensure they can be banned.

“At big games in Europe, too often the attitude of foreign police to British fans leads to unacceptable treatment of innocent supporters. The Government needs to work with overseas counterparts to bolster the role of British police travelling with teams and collaboration with local forces.”

Main conclusions and recommendations

Protecting fans abroad

• The treatment of Liverpool fans by French authorities at the 2022 Champions League final was disgraceful and worsened by attempts of the authorities and UEFA to blame the supporters. The attitude of foreign police forces to UK football fans heavily contributed to the chaos.
• The Government should work to foster improved relationships with other governments on policing sporting events in order to bolster the role of British police travelling with UK teams and their collaboration with local forces.

Policing

• The unauthorised entry of ticketless individuals at football matches creates a risk to their safety and the safety of legitimate, paying fans. While such acts are likely already illegal, the lack of a distinct criminal penalty that includes the use of the proven deterrent of Football Banning Orders, is allowing this practice to continue seemingly unchallenged.
• The Committee welcomes the introduction of the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill and calls on the Government to ensure its passage into law during this session of Parliament.
• Sporting bodies should increase their financial contribution to the safety of fans outside of the stadium.
• The Government should work with police and sporting bodies to introduce a centralised system to report and record discrimination and antisocial behaviour at sporting events.

Alcohol and drug use at sporting events

• The evidence available on the impact of alcohol on disorder at football matches does not provide a compelling case either for the status quo or for a significant relaxation of the current legislation.
• The Government’s review of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985, alongside a responsible alcohol sale pilot scheme, provides an opportunity for comprehensive evidence gathering.
• The Government should consult with other sporting bodies and also ensure that the alcohol sale pilots are undertaken alongside the Committee’s recommended improved reporting of hate crime and antisocial behaviour to ensure the impacts are fully understood before any further decisions are taken.
• The increasing use of Class A drugs at sporting events is something that police and clubs should both be taking more seriously. It is unclear whether the use of Football Banning Orders for Class A drugs provides an adequate deterrent.
• Further work is needed by the police to understand the prevalence of drug supply and possession.

Stewarding

• Stewards should not be seen merely as volunteers or fans who get to see the game for free. They are crucial to the safety of all sporting events and their responsibilities have grown over the years. The resources available to all major UK sports should allow for the better treatment of stewards, including an appropriate wage.
• Stewards, employers and fans would all benefit from clarity on the roles, responsibilities and standards for stewards. The Committee recommend that the Sports Ground Safety Authority should develop and publish minimum expectations for stewarding standards in consultation with all those involved in major sporting events.
• The Government and SGSA should work with sporting bodies to establish a central training fund, with contributions from sporting leagues being tied to their revenue.

Stadium management

• Local authorities should include a wider variety of perspectives in Safety Advisory Groups with efforts to reach demographic groups that have been previously disregarded.
• As long as football clubs can prove that they have a comprehensive stewarding plan for safe standing and follow the licenced standing criteria from the SGSA Further safe standing pilots should be encouraged.
• Poor stadium design raises fundamental issues around equality, diversity and inclusion that are not being fulfilled to an acceptable level by the design of spaces intended for use by fans. Being unable to accommodate women and disabled fans in an appropriate way sends the message that they are not welcome and undermines their safety, security and dignity when attending matches.
• The SGSA should update its Green Guide with a requirement for new and redeveloped stadia to better accommodate all fans, including women and disabled people.