Overview

This Bill aims to strengthen the UK's football banning order system, making it applicable across the entire country, and expands the powers and renames the Football Licensing Authority to the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, giving it broader responsibilities for sports ground safety across the UK.

Description

Football Banning Orders

The Bill extends the reach of existing football banning orders to cover the whole of the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland). It clarifies where individuals subject to such orders must report to the police and introduces consistent penalties for breaches of these orders across the UK. The Bill also updates relevant offences related to banning orders in the 1989 Football Spectators Act and the 2006 Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act.

Sports Grounds Safety Authority

The Bill renames the Football Licensing Authority to the Sports Grounds Safety Authority. This expanded authority will advise government ministers and relevant bodies in England and Wales on sports ground safety. It can also provide advice to bodies outside England and Wales, subject to certain conditions and the consent of the Secretary of State. The Authority may charge fees for advice, but these fees cannot exceed the cost of providing the advice.

Government Spending

The Bill states that the expenses of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority will be paid by the Secretary of State. No specific figures for the increased government spending are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Football fans: Those subject to football banning orders will face consistent enforcement across the UK. Penalties for breaches of orders are clarified.
• Police forces: Increased responsibilities regarding the enforcement of banning orders across all four nations of the UK.
• Sports grounds and clubs: The Sports Grounds Safety Authority will provide advice and guidance related to safety in sports grounds.
• Government departments: The Home Office and Department for Culture, Media and Sport, along with other relevant ministries, will receive advice from the expanded Sports Grounds Safety Authority.
• Bodies and persons outside England and Wales: These entities may receive advice from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, subject to specific conditions.

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