Public order
Football-related offences
Football (Offences) Act 1991; Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 (as applicable)
England & Wales. Elements, mode of trial, maximum and defences — not a charging or outcome predictor.
- Triable
- Summary only
- Maximum penalty
- See Sentencing Council guideline for the statutory maximum
Actus reus
- Football (Offences) Act 1991: throwing a missile (s.2); indecent or racialist chanting (s.3); or going onto the playing area (s.4) at a designated football match — read the charged section.
- Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985 covers alcohol and containers at designated sporting events. This page is not a single offence.
Mens rea
- Depends on the charged section. Do not assume a common intent across FOA 1991 and the 1985 Act.
Defences
Not at a designated match / event · Conduct not within the charged section · Deny the act / identification
Sentencing Council
Sentencing Council guideline effective 24 April 2017. Offence range: Conditional discharge – High level community order (possession of alcohol) Conditional discharge – Band C fine (all oth.
At the police station
Match designation and the exact section (missile, chanting, pitch, alcohol) come first. Linked POA or assault charges are separate.
When to involve a rep or solicitor
Police station advice is free under legal aid and is not means-tested.
Authoritative sources for this page
Statute plus Sentencing Council (and CPS where listed) are the two primary sources we used for mode of trial, maximum and elements. Case links are from our verified registry only.