If you’ve been convicted of a football-related offence or are facing an application for a Football Banning Order (FBO), understanding your position and your options is essential.
What Is a Football Banning Order?
A Football Banning Order is a court order prohibiting you from attending regulated football matches, both in the UK and abroad. Orders can also carry additional conditions, including:
- Surrendering your passport before international matches or tournaments
- Exclusion zones around stadiums on match days
- Requirements to report to a police station on match days
Why Would I Get a Football Banning Order?
There are two ways an FBO can be imposed:
1. Following a conviction If you are convicted of a “relevant offence,” the court must impose a Football Banning Order if it is satisfied there are reasonable grounds to believe it would help prevent violence or disorder. Relevant offences include:
- Fighting or using threatening/abusive behaviour at or around a match
- Being drunk at a match or attempting to enter a ground while drunk
- Throwing objects onto the pitch or at other spectators
- Racist or discriminatory chanting
- Ticket touting at a football match
- Offences involving firearms or weapons connected to a match
- Violence or disorder involving a football club or its supporters
2. Without a conviction (civil application) The police can apply directly to a magistrates’ court for an FBO even if you haven’t been convicted of a criminal offence. They must show that you have, at some point, caused or contributed to violence or disorder in connection with football. This is a lower threshold than a criminal conviction, which is why it’s important to take any such application seriously.
How Long Does a Ban Last?
| Circumstance | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Standard conviction | 3 years | 5 years |
| Immediate custodial sentence | 6 years | 10 years |
Can You Have It Lifted Early?
Yes, once you’ve served two-thirds of your banning order, you can apply to the court for early termination. A 3-year order means you could apply after 2 years.
The court will consider:
- Your character and behaviour since the order was made
- The nature of the original offence
- Any other relevant circumstances
This isn’t automatic. A formal application is required, and the strength of your case matters — which is why experienced legal representation makes a real difference.
Need Help?
Whether you want to challenge an FBO application, understand your conditions, or apply to have an order lifted early, the specialist team at KMC Legal can advise you.
Get in touch today for expert guidance.
0800 9494 667 or email us defence@kmc-legal-co-uk
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