Last amended by Football (Disorder) Act 2000 in 2000. Extended banning orders to cover international matches, introduced civil banning orders on complaint, and strengthened passport surrender requirements.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Football Spectators Act 1989 introduced football banning orders to prevent known hooligans from attending matches in England and abroad. Following disorder at Heysel and Hillsborough, it created a licensing scheme for grounds and established the Football Licensing Authority (now Sports Grounds Safety Authority).
Key Points
- Creates football banning orders preventing attendance at matches (Part II)
- Courts may make orders on conviction for football-related offences
- Police may detain passports during control periods for international matches
- Orders can require reporting to police station during matches
- Failure to comply with banning order is a criminal offence
- Establishes Football Licensing Authority for ground safety (Part I)
- Football banning orders on conviction for football-related offences (s.14A)
- Banning orders on complaint (civil standard of proof) (s.14B)
- Requirement to surrender passport during control periods (s.14E)
- Duration: 3–5 years (no custodial sentence) or 6–10 years (with) (s.14F)
- Sports Grounds Safety Authority role in ground safety (Part I)
- Offence to breach a banning order (s.14J)
- Football banning orders (domestic and international)
- Restrictions on travel for designated football matches
- Requirement to surrender passport during control periods
- Linked to broader anti-hooliganism legislation
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2000 — Football (Disorder) Act 2000
Extended banning orders to cover international matches, introduced civil banning orders on complaint, and strengthened passport surrender requirements.
2000 — Football (Disorder) Act 2000
Strengthened banning order regime and introduced banning orders on complaint.
2000 — Football (Disorder) Act 2000
Strengthened banning order provisions for international matches.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a football banning order?
- A football banning order is a court order that prevents a person from attending football matches in England and abroad. It was introduced to stop known hooligans from causing trouble. The order can be made if a person is convicted of a relevant offence or if the police apply to a magistrates' court on complaint, provided it is believed to help prevent violence or disorder.
- How long does a football banning order last?
- The duration depends on whether a custodial sentence is imposed. If the person is not sentenced to prison, the order lasts between three and five years. If a custodial sentence is given, the order lasts between six and ten years. These specific timeframes are set out in the legislation governing football banning orders.
- Do I have to give up my passport if I have a banning order?
- Yes, the police may require a person to surrender their passport during designated control periods for international matches. This is a specific restriction linked to the banning order to prevent travel to matches abroad. Failure to comply with the requirements of a banning order, including passport surrender, is a criminal offence.
- What role does the Sports Grounds Safety Authority play?
- The Football Spectators Act 1989 established a licensing scheme for football grounds and created the Football Licensing Authority, which is now known as the Sports Grounds Safety Authority. This body is responsible for ensuring the safety of sports grounds. The Act also introduced the legal framework for football banning orders to address hooliganism.
- Is it a crime to break a football banning order?
- Yes, breaching a football banning order is a criminal offence. If a person fails to comply with the terms of the order, such as attending a match or failing to report to a police station during a match, they can be prosecuted. The legislation specifically defines the breach of these orders as a criminal act.
- How can a football banning order be issued?
- A banning order can be made in two main ways. First, a court must make one if a person is convicted of a relevant offence and the court believes it will help prevent violence. Second, a chief officer of police can apply to a magistrates' court on complaint if satisfied that an order would help prevent disorder, using a civil standard of proof.