Far-right rioters could be banned from attending football matches

Senior ministers are considering the move.

The Government are working with footballing authorities and clubs on an individual basis, in order to ensure any fans taking part in the disorderly violence are banned from football games.

Police investigations have shown a link between far-right activists to organised groups of football hooligans.

It has been reported that ministers are looking at using existing powers under The Football Offences Act as quickly as this week.

Collaborating with the police force, football clubs are helping to identify some of the rioters.

A number of clubs are also understood to be liaising with local authorities in order to impose match bans on those causing disorder with season tickets.

There are many reasons as to why a football banning order can be imposed. For example, this may be for offensive language, throwing of missiles or property damage.

Any offences that are committed two hours before or after a football match can result in a banning order imposed.

The authorities are looking at ways in which they can extend this in order to cover far-right violence.

A law enforcement source stated: "The events of recent days take place against the background of increased football-related disorder we have seen in the last year or so.

"There is liaison to establish what sort of overlap we are seeing between that disorder and what we have seen unfold in places like Rotherham, Hull and elsewhere.

"There are good grounds for thinking that at least some of those who look to cause trouble at football grounds have also been involved in the aftermath of Southport"