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Premier League fans who set off smoke bombs, fireworks or storm the pitch face an automatic ONE-YEAR BAN as part of the crackdown on anti-social behavior in stadiums
- Premier League clubs unanimously vote for tougher sanctions against fans setting off smoke bombs or entering the pitch during matches
- Fans are automatically banned for at least a year for anti-social actions
- The ban would apply to both home and away games involving their team
- Punishment would also be extended to parents or guardians of children
- It follows a series of worrying incidents in English football last season
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Fans who blow off smoke bombs or storm the pitch at Premier League football matches are automatically banned from their club for at least one year.
The 20 Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to introduce the penalties as part of a crackdown on antisocial and criminal fan behavior in stadiums.
The new policy takes effect immediately with the ban that applies to both home and away games. It can also be extended to parents or guardians of children who participate in such activities.
A Premier League statement read: “At a Premier League Shareholders meeting today, clubs unanimously agreed to introduce minimum heights for supporters who engage in anti-social and criminal behavior in League stadiums.
Fans caught carrying or activating fireworks or smoke bombs, or entering the field without permission, will automatically be banned from clubbing with a minimum term of one year.
Everton’s Richarlison throws a blue smoke flare back into the stands at Goodison Park
Football supporters who invade the field or set off smoke bombs risk a one-year ban
“These prohibitions may also be extended to accompanying parents or guardians of children who participate in such activities.
“This policy is effective immediately and the ban applies to both home and away games.”
The number of incidents of supporters running onto the pitch has increased recently, raising concerns about footballers’ safety.
Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp was attacked by an intruder during the semi-finals of last season’s Championship play-offs, resulting in a jail term for a Nottingham Forest fan.
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira kicked out an Everton fan who provoked him while filming the showdown during a field invasion at Goodison Park to mark their survival in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira kicked out at an Everton fan who had invaded the pitch to mark their safety in the Premier League and incited him
A Leicester fan ran onto the pitch and slapped the Nottingham Forest players during their FA Cup match at the City Ground in February
A Leicester City fan ran onto the pitch and waved punches at Forest players celebrating a goal in their FA Cup game at the City Ground in February.
Since 1991, it has been an offense to enter the field without permission, but that rule is often ignored when a club is celebrating promotion or trying to avoid relegation.
The use of smoke bombs and flares in the stands has become commonplace at all levels of the game when celebrating goals.