Premier League clubs have agreed to ban pitch-occupying fans from their team’s home and away matches for at least a year. Supporters found guilty of entering the pitch without permission or using smoke bombs and other pyrotechnics will receive an automatic 12-month suspension.
The ban can also be extended to parents or guardians of children who engage in such activities. In response to dangerous pitch invasions in the Premier League and lower leagues last season, England’s top clubs met in London on Wednesday in an attempt to find a solution to the growing problem.The policy will come into effect immediately with the next round of Premier League matches scheduled to take place on October one and two
Clubs have unanimously approved the introduction of minimum length bans for supporters taking part in a Premier League fixture meeting today. Anti-social and criminal behavior at the stadium, the statement said. Fans caught carrying or activating pyrotechnic or smoke bombs or entering the pitch without permission will receive an automatic club ban of at least one year.
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira lashed out at an Everton supporter who ran onto the pitch after his side’s win at Goodison Park last term. There were also ugly scenes when fans surrounded the pitch after Nottingham Forest’s Championship play-off semi-final win against Sheffield United in May.
Blades striker Billy Sharp was jailed for 24 weeks and given a 10-year football banning order after he was shot dead by a Forest fan. A Leicester fan ran onto the pitch and attempted to punch Nottingham Forest players during an FA Cup tie in February
