Football Clubs with the Naughtiest Fans Revealed: Arrest and Banning Statistics for 2022/23 Season Released
Football is not just a game; it’s a passion that runs deep within fans. However, some fans take their love for the game to another level, causing trouble and disrupting matches. The latest arrest and banning statistics for the 2022/23 season have been released, shedding light on which football clubs in England have the worst behaved fans.
The number of arrests at football matches has seen a significant rise since the Covid pandemic began. In fact, the numbers have reached levels last seen in the 2013/14 season, indicating a worrying trend. During the last season, a total of 682 bans were issued, marking the highest number in over 12 years. This increase can be attributed, in part, to the addition of possession of Class A drugs like cocaine to the list of offences that warrant banning orders.
Among the clubs with the highest number of football banning orders, Manchester United takes the top spot with 69 orders issued. Millwall follows closely behind in second place, with Leicester City, Birmingham City, and West Ham United completing the top five.
When it comes to arrests, West Ham United takes the lead with a staggering 89 people arrested during matches. What’s even more concerning is that 69% of these arrests took place at the London Stadium. Manchester United comes in second place with 83 arrests, 49% of which occurred at Old Trafford. Leeds United ranks third with 69 arrests, 43% of which happened during home matches.
Moving beyond specific clubs, it is interesting to note that Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal are also included in the list of clubs with a high number of bans and arrests.
The most common offences leading to bans and arrests were violent disorder and public disorder. However, it is worth mentioning that alcohol-related offences have decreased significantly over the past nine years, dropping from 25% to just 9%.
With regards to the different football competitions in England, the Premier League has one of the lower arrest rates, with 4.3 arrests per 100,000 people. The FA Cup, on the other hand, had the highest number of arrests, with a rate of 6.4 arrests per 100,000 attendees. Surprisingly, international matches had the highest number of arrests, with a staggering rate of 13.5 arrests per 100,000 people.
The rise in hooliganism has become such a concern that authorities are taking strict measures to curb the problem. For instance, ahead of the upcoming Euros this summer, more than 1,600 yobs with football banning orders will be required to surrender their passports to the police from June 4 until the tournament ends. Failure to comply with this rule or attempting to travel to Germany or any countries en route to the host nation could result in severe penalties, including six months in jail or an unlimited fine.
Policing Minister Chris Philp emphasizes that violence and disorder have no place in the game of football and that these measures are aimed at ensuring the safety of true football fans while preventing hooliganism abroad.
Football’s ruling bodies are particularly concerned about the return of hooliganism from decades ago, which saw English teams banned from Europe for five years after the tragic events at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels in 1985.
While football is meant to bring people together and create a sense of community, it is disheartening to see some fans tarnishing the sport’s image with their unruly behavior. It is crucial for clubs and authorities to work together to address this issue and ensure that matches can be enjoyed by fans in a safe and respectful environment. Only then can we truly celebrate the beautiful game.