Football (Disorder) Act 2000

The Football (Disorder) Act 2000 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacted during the premiership of Tony Blair. It served as an amendment to the Football Spectators Act 1989, and strengthened football banning orders (FBOs), a civil order imposed to those convicted of football-related offences. FBOs may be issued by courts in the United Kingdom, or following a complaint from a local police force.[1]

Football (Disorder) Act 2000
Act of Parliament
Introduced byJack Straw
Territorial extentEngland and Wales
Dates
Made4 July 2000
Laid before Parliament13 July 2000
Royal assent28 July 2000
Commencement28 August 2000
Other legislation
Made underFootball Spectators Act 1989
Relates to
Status: Current legislation
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Act was "rushed through Parliament" by then-Home Secretary Jack Straw following violent clashes during UEFA Euro 2000.[2] It allows police in England and Wales to arrest those suspected of travelling abroad to participate in hooliganism at international games, and to withhold their passports up to five days before an international fixture.[2] Straw stated during an opposition day for his Bill that he was keen to enact the new laws in time for England's next international game against France in September 2000.[3]

FBOs, introduced by Football Spectators Act 1989, may ban an individual from football grounds in the United Kingdom for two to ten years, with provisions for individual cases. Supporters may also be barred from using public transport on matchdays, and from town centres and built-up, high-risk areas prior to and following matches.[4][5][6]

The Act has been criticised by civil liberties campaigners for being "draconian",[7] fearing it may result in profiling based on fan appearance.[2][8][9]

More than 450 supporters were prevented from travelling to Greece for a World Cup qualifier in 2001 under the Act.[10]

References
  1. "Football-related arrests and banning orders season 2014 to 2015". Gov.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  2. "Hooligan bill comes into force". BBC. 28 August 2000. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  3. "Football (Disorder) Bill: 13 Jul 2000: House of Commons debates". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  4. "Football Banning Orders: How long do they last and how do they work?". InBrief. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  5. Smith, Michael (14 August 2000). "Soccer thugs kick off for 'the most violent season in years'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  6. "Football Related Offences and Football Banning Orders". Crown Prosecution Service. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  7. Greenfield, Steven; Osborn, Guy (13 May 2013). Law and Sport in Contemporary Society. Routledge. p. 251. ISBN 1136331123.
  8. Black, Tim (15 June 2016). "Football fans: still being treated like animals". Spiked. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  9. Hyland, Julie (29 August 2000). "New measures against football hooligans undermine civil liberties in Britain". World Socialist Web Site. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  10. "Football fans banned from leaving UK". The Independent. 4 June 2001. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
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