LIVERPOOL FC is leading the way in a nationwide crackdown on football hooliganism, handing out more banning orders than any other Premier League club.
Last night, Home Office minister Vernon Coaker praised police officers, clubs and fans for combining to tackle football-related violence.
Government statistics on arrests and banning orders up to October, 2008, published today, reveal there were 3,842 arrests last season at all international and domestic games, with no arrests at 67% of matches.
Liverpool dished out 35 banning orders last year – more than any other top-flight club, and more than double the number issued the year before.
Jed Poynton, Anfield’s head of operations, last night said: “One of the biggest tools in stadium management in recent years is the support we have had in the courts for banning orders.
“We don’t have a big problem with our fans at Liverpool by any means, but our motto is being firm, fair and friendly. And we’re fortunate to have a police force in Merseyside that is positive.”
The force has helped Everton FC and Tranmere Rovers FC bring more bans than ever before.
Everton banned 18, ten more than the year before, and Tranmere handed out 12 orders, after giving out just one in 2006-07.
Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross said: “We won’t tolerate any misbehaviour, hooliganism or any sort of disorder at the club.
“We’ve a good record with regards to our behaviour, and we don’t suffer the blight of hooliganism that other clubs have sometimes had to put up with in the past.
“But there are people who need to be banished from the club because football is an entertainment business and punters at a cinema or theatre wouldn’t put up with bad behaviour, and we’re equally determined to stamp it out.
“This is a family club and that is a reputation we’re proud to have.”
Bans have doubled or tripled, while the number of arrests has gone up at a slower rate.
About 96 Liverpool fans were arrested, compared with 81 the year before. Some 77 Everton fans were picked up by police, eight more than 06-07, and 25 Tranmere followers were taken in, just six more than in the previous 12 months.
Mr Coaker said: “Football violence and disorder has no place in the modern game, and we are determined to crack down on those who attempt to ruin the sport for the vast majority of genuine fans.
“I am delighted that the police, the clubs and the fans are working together to help clamp down on football violence in and out of the grounds.
Football banning orders have proved to be a great success – 94% of individuals whose banning order has expired have been assessed by police as no longer posing a risk of football disorder.
“Great progress has been achieved and we remain committed to preventing violence and criminality spoiling the sport.”
Last night, Home Office minister Vernon Coaker praised police officers, clubs and fans for combining to tackle football-related violence.
Government statistics on arrests and banning orders up to October, 2008, published today, reveal there were 3,842 arrests last season at all international and domestic games, with no arrests at 67% of matches.
Liverpool dished out 35 banning orders last year – more than any other top-flight club, and more than double the number issued the year before.
Jed Poynton, Anfield’s head of operations, last night said: “One of the biggest tools in stadium management in recent years is the support we have had in the courts for banning orders.
“We don’t have a big problem with our fans at Liverpool by any means, but our motto is being firm, fair and friendly. And we’re fortunate to have a police force in Merseyside that is positive.”
The force has helped Everton FC and Tranmere Rovers FC bring more bans than ever before.
Everton banned 18, ten more than the year before, and Tranmere handed out 12 orders, after giving out just one in 2006-07.
Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross said: “We won’t tolerate any misbehaviour, hooliganism or any sort of disorder at the club.
“We’ve a good record with regards to our behaviour, and we don’t suffer the blight of hooliganism that other clubs have sometimes had to put up with in the past.
“But there are people who need to be banished from the club because football is an entertainment business and punters at a cinema or theatre wouldn’t put up with bad behaviour, and we’re equally determined to stamp it out.
“This is a family club and that is a reputation we’re proud to have.”
Bans have doubled or tripled, while the number of arrests has gone up at a slower rate.
About 96 Liverpool fans were arrested, compared with 81 the year before. Some 77 Everton fans were picked up by police, eight more than 06-07, and 25 Tranmere followers were taken in, just six more than in the previous 12 months.
Mr Coaker said: “Football violence and disorder has no place in the modern game, and we are determined to crack down on those who attempt to ruin the sport for the vast majority of genuine fans.
“I am delighted that the police, the clubs and the fans are working together to help clamp down on football violence in and out of the grounds.
Football banning orders have proved to be a great success – 94% of individuals whose banning order has expired have been assessed by police as no longer posing a risk of football disorder.
“Great progress has been achieved and we remain committed to preventing violence and criminality spoiling the sport.”
No comments:
Post a Comment