Police forces are set to tighten their grip on football hooliganism.
Under the new Plan For Change guidelines, officers now have extra powers to drug test individuals involved in violent behaviour. Moreover, these measures aim to protect dedicated fans and preserve the integrity of the beautiful game.
In addition, the new guidelines allow police to test offenders for crimes such as violence, pitch invasions, throwing missiles, and racist chanting. Furthermore, groups engaging in tragedy chanting—mocking the victims of the Hillsborough disaster or the Munich air crash—can also be tested. Consequently, these measures target behaviour that has long tarnished matchday atmospheres.
Importantly, convictions for drug offences in football now trigger a statutory banning order. Specifically, bans range from three to five years, or extend to six to ten years if the offender is sent to prison. Additionally, during the 2023/24 season, authorities made 344 arrests for possession of class A drugs like cocaine at matches. This statistic underscores the urgency of the crackdown.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson emphasized the importance of these new powers. She stated, “Police forces work tirelessly to ensure dedicated football fans can attend fixtures safely week in, week out.” However, she added that those exploiting matchdays to engage in criminal behaviour will no longer be tolerated. Her message clearly resonates with fans and officials alike.
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Moreover, this initiative forms part of a broader strategy to combat illegal drug misuse at sporting events. Previously, police tested for drug use in relation to offences such as theft, robbery, and handling stolen goods. Now, they can also address anti-social behaviour and drink driving offences under the same legal framework. This expansion promises to fill critical gaps in enforcement.
Following an independent review by Baroness Casey after the UEFA Euro 2020 final at Wembley, the link between illegal drugs, alcohol, and reckless behaviour became undeniable. The review highlighted that substance misuse spurred dangerous actions during the match. As a result, authorities have responded with this robust plan to restore order in stadiums.
In response to recent disturbances, the Football Association, EFL, and Premier League have united in joint initiatives. They aim to curb pitch invasions, fireworks, violence, and inappropriate chanting. Consequently, these collaborative efforts support the police crackdown and send a clear message that such behaviour has no place in football.
Finally, statistics from March 2022 to September 2024 reveal that over 150,000 drug tests were conducted on arrest. Notably, 56 percent of those tests returned positive for cocaine, opiates, or both. Furthermore, more than half of the individuals who tested positive were referred to treatment services. This data strongly indicates that the new measures could significantly reduce criminal behaviour at matches.