The one league we don’t want to top
Nov 27 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal
MORE Newcastle fans have been banned from attending matches than almost any other Premier League club in the past 12 months.
A report from the Home Office, which was released yesterday, showed that between August 2007 and October this year, 29 Newcastle supporters were the subject of banning orders by police. The same number of Middlesbrough fans were also barred.
And 20 Sunderland fans were also banned from attending matches.
The only Premier League club with more banning orders than Newcastle during the period was Liverpool, with 35.
In total, 59 Newcastle fans are now the subject of banning orders, with 63 from Sunderland.
And fans from this region were also heavily involved in arrests, according to the report.
During the 2007/08 season, 113 Newcastle fans were arrested, including one for racist chanting, as well as 117 Sunderland fans.
The arrests were for a variety of crimes, including violent and public disorder and alcohol offences.
Earlier this week Northumbria Police issued mugshots of 40 people who were involved in trouble after this season’s Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light.
Chief Superintendent Neil Mackay, of Northumbria Police operations department, said: “Football banning orders are there to prevent those intent on causing violence or disorder from attending matches, meaning that genuine fans can go to a game and watch it safely.
“We want people to be able to enjoy the sport rather than worry about the behaviour of the person sitting next to them in the stands.
“Banning orders are an effective tool we can use to help us do this. We will continue to enforce them as well as seeking new ones where the evidence supports such action.”
A Newcastle United spokesman said: “Newcastle United supporters are deservedly known throughout football for their loyalty and passion, both at home and abroad. The latest statistics show a fall in the number of arrests made, but the club continues to work closely with the authorities to deal with the tiny minority whose behaviour is unacceptable.”
Nationally, a total of 3,842 arrests were made during the 2007-08 season at all international and domestic games – an increase of 109 arrests on the previous year.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker praised fans, police and clubs for helping to tackle football-related violence.
He said: “I am delighted that the police, the clubs and the fans are working together to help clamp down on football violence in and out of the grounds. Football violence and disorder has no place in the modern game and we are determined to crack down on those who attempt to ruin the sport.
“Football banning orders have proved to be a great success – 94% of individuals whose banning order has expired have been assessed by police as no longer posing a risk of football disorder.”
