Prosecution guidance on football-related offences and banning orders

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has updated its prosecution guidance for football-related offences, regarding tragedy-related abuse as a prosecutable public order offence. Offensive messages related to football disasters or accidents – such as the Hillsborough disaster or Munich air disaster – can lead to prosecution under the Public Order Act 1986.

The guidance also highlights football banning orders, which restrict attendance, travel and pub use during matches.

Recent prosecutions for tragedy-related abuse are outlined, emphasising the impact on victims and the broader community.

These include:

• a man banned for wearing an offensive shirt about the Hillsborough disaster
• a suspended prison sentence for a man who sent offensive Hillsborough and anti-Semitic tweets
• a fan sentenced for mocking the Hillsborough tragedy at a Liverpool FC match

Read more about football related offences and football banning orders and football tragedy abuse (CPS, 2023).