Mansfield Town had third most football banning orders

Home Office data has revealed that Mansfield Town had 50 football banning orders in place during the 2019-20 season – more than any other club in League Two and the third most in England’s top divisions.

The club’s supporters were issued the highest number of new football banning orders that season – with 34 new orders given as of August 1.

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There has been a steady decline in football banning orders since 2011, and last season there was a decrease of eight per cent from the previous year, with 1,621 orders in place across England’s top leagues during the 19/20 season.

Football banning orders are made by the courts to help prevent violence or disorder at, or in connection with, any regulated football matches.

They are issued either following a conviction for a football-related offence or following a complaint by a local police force, and someone with an FBO cannot attend any regulated match in the United Kingdom.

An order can last for between three and 10 years, and a breach can land you in prison.

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Despite the amount of banning orders issued, Mansfield Town supporters were only arrested three times last season, which is a decrease on the previous year’s arrest tally of 17 which was more than any other club in the league at the time.

Football matches were cancelled due to Covid-19, and the closure of courts prevented some banning orders being issued.

Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, National Police Chiefs’ Council Football Policing Lead, said: “The figures set out need to be considered within the context that 546 matches were either cancelled or played behind closed doors this season, so we can’t compare like for like with the previous season’s figures. We also know that we tend to get more incidents as seasons end when titles and relegation are settled.

“That said, what we can see is that prior to the restrictions from Covid-19, there was already an increase in the levels of disorder at fixtures. In the previous season, there were incidents reported at 33 per cent of 3,022 fixtures, and for the 2019/20 season, there were incidents reported at 36 per cent of the 2,663 regulated fixtures.

“Significantly, while the statistics show a numerical decrease, the number of assaults against stadium staff and police officers are worryingly close to what we saw from a full season in 2018/19.”

He added: “Hate crime figures are also incredibly concerning. We want to see this behaviour eradicated from football. We are working closely with Kick it Out, the Premier League and other partners, with a concerted effort to tackle hate crime both in the stadium and online.

“It is important the clubs and the leagues continue to ensure the police are made aware of all incidents so local forces can work with them to tackle the incidents as they occur.

“This will remain a focus until we are able to eliminate this vile behaviour and ensure a safe and friendly space for everyone to support and enjoy football.”