Far-right riots could be banned from football matches

Far-right rioters who have taken part in the last week of unrest could be banned from football matches.

The banning orders could be introduced as part of a response to the violent demonstrations, with the first tough jail sentences already handed down to those taking part.

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister, said last week that the rioters should be treated in a similar way to football hooligans.

The government is considering whether to impose sections of the Football Offenses Act, a law that allows banning orders for offenses such as physical violence and criminal damage.

The move was first reported by the i newspaper, which cited a law enforcement source as pointing to “increased football-related disorder” over the past year.

“There is a link to what kind of overlap we’re seeing between this disorder and what we’ve seen going on in places like Rotherham, Hull and elsewhere,” they said.

“There is good reason to think that at least some of those looking to cause trouble on football pitches were also involved in the Southport aftermath.”

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Asked about the government’s response after the initial disturbances in Southport and London last week, Sir Keir said he had spoken to police chiefs about criminal behavior orders.

“(They) give the police and authorities the ability to wrap their arms around and have a tighter grip on those who have already shown their true colors (and) been convicted,” he said.

“And personally, I would like to see more use of these orders in the same way they are used in cases of football hooligans, to stop people traveling, to identify and prevent their patterns of behavior because they don’t there are people who will protest.”

Asked about the reports, Dame Diana Johnson, the police minister, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I can’t tell you that today, I say all options are being looked at.

“And I’m pretty confident that football clubs and rugby clubs and other big sporting institutions don’t want to have people who have caused such violence and disorder in their communities in the stands at the weekend.

“So I think that’s being looked at and I’m sure the Secretary of State for Culture and Sport will be talking to all these sporting bodies about that.”

Three men were arrested on Armistice Day after soccer fans were involved in a racist attack at Waterloo station, where pro-Palestinian protesters were staging a protest.

It came as the Football Association used its official supporters’ guide to warn that a zero-tolerance approach would be taken at the first major football fixture since the riots broke out.

Manchester City and Manchester United face each other on Saturday as they compete for the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.

The FA used its supporters’ guide to state: “People found to have committed offenses face stadium bans and may be prosecuted.”

Fans will also be warned that the authorities will not tolerate “anti-social, offensive and discriminatory behaviour” at the match, with the FA working closely with the police.

A Home Office source said the move was not being actively pursued at present but was an option available to the courts.

They added that football banning orders were usually, but not always, reserved for football-related offences.

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