Football Spectators Act 1989

[The offences relevant for the purposes of sections 7(2) and 15(1) of this Act are the following—

(a) any offence under section 2(1) or 5(7) of this Act;

(b) any offence under section 2 of the M1 Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 (alcohol containers at sports grounds) committed by the accused at any designated football match or while entering or trying to enter the ground;

(c) any offence under section 5 of the M2 Public Order Act 1986 (harassment, alarm or distress) or any provision of Part III of that Act (racial hatred) committed during a period relevant to a designated football match at any premises while the accused was at, or was entering or leaving or trying to enter or leave, the premises;

(d) any offence involving the use or threat of violence by the accused towards another person committed during a period relevant to a designated football match at any premises while the accused was at, or was entering or leaving or trying to enter or leave, the premises;

(e) any offence involving the use or threat of violence towards property committed during a period relevant to a designated football match at any premises while the accused was at, or was entering or leaving or trying to enter or leave, the premises;

(f) any offence under section 12 of the M3 Licensing Act 1872 (persons found drunk in public places, etc.) of being found drunk in a highway or other public place committed while the accused was on a journey to or from a designated football match being an offence as respects which the court makes a [F1 declaration that the offence related to football matches.]]

(g) any offence under section 91(1) of the M4 Criminal Justice Act 1967 (disorderly behaviour while drunk in a public place) committed in a highway or other public place while the accused was on a journey to or from a designated football match being an offence as respects which the court makes a [F1 declaration that the offence related to football matches].

(h) any offence under section 1 of the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 (alcohol on coaches or trains to or from sporting events) committed while the accused was on a journey to or from a designated football match being an offence as respects which the court makes a [F1 declaration that the offence related to football matches].

(i) any offence under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 (harassment, alarm or distress) or any provision of Part III of that Act (racial hatred) committed while the accused was on a journey to or from a designated football match being an offence as respects which the court makes a [F1 declaration that the offence related to football matches].

(j) any offence under section 4 or 5 of the M5 Road Traffic Act 1988 (driving etc. when under the influence of drink or drugs or with an alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit) committed while the accused was on a journey to or from a designated football match being an offence as respects which the court makes a [F1 declaration that the offence related to football matches].

(k) any offence involving the use or threat of violence by the accused towards another person committed while one or each of them was on a journey to or from a designated football match being an offence as respects which the court makes a [F1 declaration that the offence related to football matches.]

(l) any offence involving the use or threat of violence towards property committed while the accused was on a journey to or from a designated football match being an offence as respects which the court makes a [F1 declaration that the offence related to football matches].

[F2 (m) any offence under the Football (Offences) Act 1991.]

[F3 (n) any offence under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 (harassment, alarm or distress) or any provision of Part III of that Act (racial hatred)—

(i) which does not fall within paragraph (c) or (i) above,

(ii) which was committed during a period relevant to a designated football match, and

(iii) as respects which the court makes a declaration that the offence related to that match or to that match and any other football match which took place during that period;

(o) any offence involving the use or threat of violence by the accused towards another person—

(i) which does not fall within paragraph (d) or (k) above,

(ii) which was committed during a period relevant to a designated football match, and

(iii) as respects which the court makes a declaration that the offence related to that match or to that match and any other football match which took place during that period;

(p) any offence involving the use or threat of violence towards property—

(i) which does not fall within paragraph (e) or (l) above,

(ii) which was committed during a period relevant to a designated football match, and

(iii) as respects which the court makes a declaration that the offence related to that match or to that match and any other football match which took place during that period;

(q) any offence under section 166 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (sale of tickets by unauthorised persons) which relates to tickets for a football match.

• Any reference to an offence in paragraphs (a) to (q) above includes—

  (a)

  a reference to any attempt, conspiracy or incitement to commit that offence; and

  (b)

  a reference to aiding and abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of that offence.

• For the purposes of paragraphs (f) to (l) above—

  (a)

  a person may be regarded as having been on a journey to or from a designated football match whether or not he attended or intended to attend the match; and

  (b)

  a person’s journey includes breaks (including overnight breaks).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 1 paras. (f)-(l) substituted (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 21, ss. 2(1), 12(2) (with s. 12(3))

F2 Sch. 1 para. (m) inserted(10.8.1991) by Football Offences Act 1991 (c.19, SIF 39:2), s. 5(3), S. I. 1991/1564, art. 2.

F3 Sch. 1 paras. (n)-(q) inserted (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 21, ss. 2(2), 12(2) (with s. 12(3))

Marginal Citations

M1 1985 c. 57.

M2 1986 c. 64.

M3 1872 c. 94.

M4 1967 c. 80.

M5 1988 c. 52.