In recent years, we have been providing updates on fan behaviour incidents dealt with by the club.
Today we can announce a summary of action taken so far this season against individuals who have breached ground regulations and committed football-related offences.
This season we have made efforts to enhance our recording systems for fan behaviour incidents. While in previous seasons we only recorded reports sent to us via email, our text line, our reporting QR codes and serious incidents reported by stewards, this season we are also including all reports from matchday stewards, including those that are dealt with there and then on a matchday and those relating to visiting supporters.
Our new comprehensive approach ensures all incidents are included in the published information. Due to this, today’s update naturally shows a higher number of sanctions than at this point last season.
So far this season, the club has issued 131 individuals with sanctions due to various incidents concerning fan behaviour this season. Of this number:
104 people were ejected from or refused entry to Gtech Community Stadium
23 people received a match ban of between one to six matches
One person received a 12-month sanction
Two people received a written warning from the club
The 131 sanctions issued this season included:
111 people breaking ground regulations
16 acts of violent or anti-social behaviour
Four drug offences
Fans should be aware that the possession of class A drugs when entering, attempting to enter or inside a stadium, was added to Schedule 1 of the Football Spectators Act 1989 in November 2022.
This means that arrests for these offences from this date are included in the football-related arrests statistics, and that a football banning order can be made following a conviction for this offence. Football banning orders can be imposed for up to 10 years.
In addition to this, 14 fan behaviour incidents involving 28 people are still being investigated by the club. On top of that, 36 cases are with the police, 29 of these cases relate to fans in the away end.
116 My Bees members have also had their memberships revoked this season due to ticket touting.
Sally Stephens, fan and community relations director, said: “Overall, the number of serious fan behaviour incidents at the stadium this season has been steady when compared to last season, but we are continuing to work hard to deal those incidents that do occur to ensure that the Gtech is a welcoming and safe environment for all fans.
“We are seeing an increase in the overall number of reports, but we hope that this reflects growing confidence in our willingness and ability to deal with incidents in the right way as well an increased awareness of how to report incidents.
"A particularly positive step this season is the increased training for all our matchday staff particularly around inclusion, working with fans with disabilities, race, religion and women’s safety.”
Fans are also reminded that the club will continue to take strong action against anyone who is responsible for any ticketing offences, whether that is ticket touting or passing tickets in home areas to away fans. Those involved risk losing their memberships or season tickets and may be subject to criminal proceedings.
We urge fans to report any unacceptable behaviour or incidents at the time, either to a nearby steward or via one of the reporting methods, including scanning the QR code in the toilets (or on the back of seats) or by texting BFC followed by a message to 62277.