Lawyers specialising in representing football supporters. Contact us at mail@football-law.co.uk for legal advice on police & court matters. T 0333 939 0063
Joined July 2012
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14 Sep 2025
⚖️ 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
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Travelling to the World Cup? Police spotters will be out there watching English fans and gathering evidence. That evidence does not stay abroad. It comes home with you and can support a banning order application for something that happened thousands of miles away.
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His team scored a title-race winner and the crowd surged. Pushed against the barrier and fearing a crush, he went over it. He never reached the pitch, yet he was charged with encroachment. The CCTV proved necessity. Not guilty, no ban.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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