PL and EFL pitch invaders set to get automatic club ban

Pitch invaders will now receive automatic club ban under new Premier League and English Football League measures.

Fans who carry or use pyrotechnics or smoke bombs will also be banned and identified offenders will be reported to the police.

These new measures were put in place in order to tackle fans’ behaviour, while tougher sanctions will also be implemented on clubs.

This is after concerns were raised about safety at grounds after a number of pitch invasions towards the end of the last term.

Premier League clubs agreed to the new measures to deal with pitch invasions last month following a series of incidents, as reported by BBC Sport.

“The rise in anti-social behaviour that we saw in stadiums at the end of last season was entirely unacceptable and put people’s safety at risk,” FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said.

“Together, English football has introduced new measures and stronger sanctions, for the start of the coming season, to send out a clear message that we will not tolerate this type of illegal and dangerous behaviour.

“It is the responsibility of everyone in the game, including governing bodies, clubs, players, coaches, and fans, to ensure that we all play our part in protecting our game and each other.”

Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters’ Association, added: “We are contacted by supporters on a fairly regular basis who have been caught jumping on the pitch, or with pyro in the stands, and without exception they regret doing it.

“Whether they had positive intentions or not is irrelevant in the eyes of the law – pyro and pitch incursions are illegal, you will be prosecuted and you will be banned by your club.”

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