The FA, Premier League and EFL have all backed the police’s calls
Banning orders for possession and abuse of cocaine at football matches could be introduced after the Football Association, Premier League and EFL backed calls from the police.
All three of the UK’s football governing bodies have supported the idea, with the use of the Class A drug being identified as one of the main reasons behind the rising amount of violence and disorder witnessed at grounds across the country this season.
A report by Baroness Casey into the violence and disorder that occurred during last summer’s European Championships – in particular, the final at Wembley Stadium – cited cocaine as the primary reason behind the trouble.
In January, the UK Football Policing Unit (UKPFU) published a report which showed a 50 per cent increase in arrests this season, sparking talks about what could be done to improve the situation.
As per The Times, the talks are taking place in a bid to encourage the government to extend their current criteria for football banning orders. Currently, supporters can be banned for alcohol misuse, but not drugs at present.
The UKFPU joined together alongside the British Transport Police for a special operation ahead of the Carabao Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool last weekend.
Between the two, the operation saw them take swabs on a number of trains heading for London on the day, with traces of cocaine found on every single train checked.
One train saw as many as six carriages contain traces of cocaine – two of those being first class carriages.
Last month Leicester City fan Cameron Toner, 19, admitted to taking cocaine the night before the Foxes’ game against Nottingham Forest on February, 6 where he assaulted three Forest players before being sentenced to four months in prison at a young offenders’ institute.
Related links:
- ‘I did three grams of coke during a game’: Inside football’s problem with Class A drugs
- Leicester fan handed prison sentence for assaulting three Nottingham Forest players
- Leicester fan banned for life and arrested after attacking Nottingham Forest players
