Overview

This bill aims to update and expand the powers related to football banning orders across the UK, and to rename and broaden the remit of the Football Licensing Authority.

Description

Part 1: Football Spectators This section amends existing legislation (the 1989 and 2006 Acts) concerning football banning orders. It extends the geographical reach of these orders to cover the whole of the UK, allowing for enforcement across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The bill clarifies the conditions under which individuals must report to police stations, and it standardizes penalties for violating banning orders across the four nations.

Part 2: Sports Grounds Safety Authority This part renames the Football Licensing Authority to the Sports Grounds Safety Authority. The Authority's responsibilities expand to include providing safety advice to Ministers of the Crown, local authorities, and other bodies or individuals across the UK (subject to conditions and Secretary of State consent for those outside England and Wales). The Authority also has a right to charge for advice, but this cannot exceed costs.

Part 3: Supplementary This section covers consequential amendments to other legislation to reflect the changes in the bill, specifies the bill's geographical extent and commencement date (to be determined by the Secretary of State), and sets out the bill's short title.

Government Spending

The bill states that the expenses of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (formerly the Football Licensing Authority) will be paid by the Secretary of State. No specific figures are provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Football Fans: Those subject to football banning orders will face stricter enforcement across the UK. Penalties for violations are clarified and standardized.
• Police Forces: Police forces across the UK will be responsible for the enforcement of football banning orders, and will have the power to require reporting in all nations.
• Sports Grounds and Clubs: The Sports Grounds Safety Authority will provide advice on safety. Clubs may face increased scrutiny of safety measures at their grounds.
• The Sports Grounds Safety Authority: The Authority's name changes, and its remit is significantly broadened. Its funding comes from the Secretary of State.
• Government Departments: Several government departments will be affected by the consequential amendments and will need to update related procedures and legislation.

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