Football Supporters’ treated unfairly?
2008-12-16
- Do Football Supporters get treated like criminals?
Football Supporters’ treated unfairly?
ARTICLE BY Scott Hobro
Figures released by the Home Office have revealed that one in 10,000 fans were arrested at football matches during 2007.
The statistics reveal that 37 million supporters attended matches in England and Wales last year, with 3,842 arrests made and only one in 10 arrests relating to acts of violence.
Pitch invasions, public disorder offences and consumption of alcohol made the majority of arrests.
The figures have prompted the Football Supporters’ Federation to question the treatment of fans as criminals at matches by police.
Amanda Jacks, of the FSF, said: “The vast majority of football supporters are normal, law abiding citizens and we’re very concerned at this portrayal of fans as violent, mindless thugs. The Government’s own statistics show this is simply not the case, and we’re pleased that Home Office minister Vernon Coaker has acknowledged this.
“There were fewer than 1,600 arrests inside football stadiums last year, a tiny amount when you consider a total of 37 million people attended games. And a large number of these were for trivial offences such as persistent standing or drinking alcohol within sight of the pitch.
“It’s very difficult for many supporters to challenge fairly minor, nonviolent charges. We’ve heard from people who have been put off from contesting dubious charges purely because of the expense involved or have had their cases thrown out due to lack of evidence – although these still appear in the arrest figures.
“Supporters are frequently treated like criminals, and we hear of far too many worrying cases.”
