Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the relevant authorities take effective measures to tackle ongoing issues with large-scale pitch invasions at professional football games.

The safety of all players participating in football matches is a priority for the government and we are clear that pitch invasions are unacceptable.

Prior to the start of the 2022/23 football season, the Premier League and English Football League publicised that any fan entering the pitch would be banned by the club they support for a minimum period of one year. These bans could also be extended to accompanying parents or guardians of children who take part in these activities. These measures are in addition to the existing Football Banning Order regime which can be imposed by a court for a football-related offence, including entering the pitch.

In recent days I have met with the police and football authorities to review disorder at football matches and assess the measures in place to prevent large-scale pitch invasions.