Football Law Assoc.

Lawyers specialising in representing football supporters. Contact us at [email protected] for legal advice on police & court matters. T 0333 939 0063

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

⚖️ At Football Law, we specialise in defending fans facing football-related charges.

Matchday should be about football, not the courtroom.

Already facing a charge or worried about a ban? Get in touch today.

#footballlaw #footballfan #matchdaylaw #banningorder #knowyourrights

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

He's celebrating a goal, on his chair. A steward grabs his leg from behind, no warning. Without looking, he pushes them away.

Charged with assault. CCTV plays. Judge agrees: instinct, not intent.

Not guilty.

#footballlaw #banningorder

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Steward got punched and blamed the nearest fan. Went to trial, swore it was him. Then bodycam was played. Police glove, yellow cuff. It was an officer. Fan cleared. Always get the footage.

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Did you know an FBO can be made without any conviction?

The 'on complaint' route lets police apply directly to court. They can rely on incidents abroad. The conduct doesn't even have to be obviously football-related.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Does a Football Banning Order show on a DBS check?

Yes, potentially. Depends on whether it's a standard or enhanced check.

The FBO sits on your criminal record. Disclosure period extended by the order's duration.

Worried about your job?

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Someone sprayed pepper spray at Wembley. This fan kicked the attacker to stop him. Charged with serious public order. Two years later, jury said not guilty. Doing the right thing still landed him in court.

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Does a Football Banning Order give you a criminal record?

Yes. It sits on your record alongside the underlying conviction.

Disclosure depends on sentence, but the FBO extends it by however long the order lasts. 3-year FBO = 3 years.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Does an FBO apply if disorder happened abroad?

It depends on the route.

On conviction: no, only UK incidents count.
On complaint: yes. Police can rely on disorder anywhere in the world.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Charged with throwing a flare AND trying to enter with it. Bodycam proved he dropped it. Can't throw what you dropped. Can't enter with what you left behind. Both charges dropped.

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Can you go on holiday with a Football Banning Order?

Sometimes no. Sometimes yes.

You have to surrender your passport when your team or England play abroad. But you can apply for an exemption to travel.

Same country as the match? Likely refused.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

What restrictions does a Football Banning Order put on you?

Mandatory: no Conference League+ matches, surrender passport for Europe and England fixtures abroad.

Discretionary: exclusion zones (1-4 miles, 4-6 hours either side), transport bans.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Fan had an unlit flare in his pocket walking to the ground. Charged with attempting to enter with it. Evidence showed he planned to light it before the stadium. Case dropped. Intent matters.

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

How is a Football Banning Order applied for?

Two routes:

1. On conviction. After a football-related conviction, the CPS asks the court to impose an FBO.
2. On complaint. The police apply directly. No conviction required.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

What offences can lead to a Football Banning Order?

Anything deemed football-related.

The obvious ones, like going onto the pitch. Plus assaults on stewards or police officers, if the prosecution can show it relates to football.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Police said he was drunk entering a ground. He was completely sober. Bodycam proved it. All four officers contradicted by their own footage. Not guilty.

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

What is a Football Banning Order?

A court order. Minimum three years. Stops you attending Conference League matches and above.

You also surrender your passport when your team play in Europe, or when England play abroad.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Can a Football Banning Order be applied for years later?

Yes. Some offences have no time limit for prosecution. If convicted later, a ban can still be applied for.

Police can also apply for a banning order on complaint without a conviction.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Police saw blood on his face and assumed he'd been fighting. Charged with affray. CCTV showed he was actually the victim. Case dropped. Evidence tells the real story.

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Can a Football Banning Order end early?

Yes. You can apply to the court after two-thirds of the order. For example, a three-year ban can be reviewed after two years.

If you have not breached it, the court may end it early.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Can you get a Football Banning Order without a conviction?

Yes. Police can apply directly to the court if they believe it is necessary to prevent violence or disorder at football.

The court can still impose a ban of at least three years.

#FootballLaw #FBO

[Football Law Assoc. @Football_Legal]

Fan got ambushed on an away day. Someone ran at him, he swung first. Charged with assault. Bodycam backed his story. Jury said not guilty. Self-defence is a right, not a crime.