Football-related arrests and banning orders have been a hot topic in England and Wales during the 2022-2023 football season. Let’s dive into the data, trends, and comparisons of football clubs. We’ll also explore incidents of anti-social behavior, violence, and disorder, as well as online hate crimes connected to football. Get ready for some interesting insights!
First, let’s talk about football banning orders. These orders are issued by the courts to prevent violence and disorder at regulated football matches. As of August 2023, there were 1,624 banning orders in force, a 24% increase compared to the previous year. The number of new banning orders issued during the 2022-2023 season was 682, a 32% increase from the previous season.
Now, let’s move on to football-related arrests. In the 2022-2023 season, there were a total of 2,264 arrests under Schedule 1 of the Football Spectators Act 1989. This includes arrests for the possession of class A drugs, which became a Schedule 1 offense in November 2022. There were also 101 arrests in England and Wales related to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The majority of arrests were of supporters of clubs in the top 5 English football divisions.
Reported incidents at football matches are also worth discussing. In the 2022-2023 season, incidents were reported at 50% of the total 3,024 matches. This is a slight decrease compared to the previous season. The most common types of incidents reported were related to pyrotechnics and throwing missiles.
Now, let’s talk about online hate crimes connected to football. These incidents are defined as electronic communications that breach the law on protected characteristics and are directed towards players, clubs, football authorities, match officials, or football personalities. In the 2022-2023 season, there were 234 recorded incidents of online hate crimes connected to football. This is a significant increase compared to the previous season.
Overall, the 2022-2023 football season in England and Wales has seen an increase in banning orders, arrests, and reported incidents. It’s important for football authorities, clubs, and supporters to work together to address these issues and ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone involved in the beautiful game. Let’s hope for a better and more peaceful season ahead!