The Government will crackdown on the rise of cocaine at football matches by threatening to issue supporters with a five-year football ban. They are also attributing the Class A drug as a contributing factor to the ongoing violence and disorder both outside and inside stadiums.
In March, police conducted random drug swabbing ahead of Bristol City's match with Birmingham. Officers swabbed surfaces inside Ashton Gate stadium and in local pubs to detect substances like cocaine. At the time, the force said that the operation is being conducted "amid a reported rise in instances of disorder at football matches nationally".
Speaking on the crackdown, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Their 'which he described as "middle-class cokeheads'" habit is feeding a war on our streets driving misery and crime across our country and beyond.
"That’s why we are stepping up our efforts to make sure those who break the law face the full consequences – because taking illegal drugs is never a victimless crime.”
A year ago, thousands of England fans disgraced themselves outside Wembley before their Euro 2020 final with Italy when they stormed the stadium and caused chaotic scenes on Wembley Way. In January, Cardiff supporters trashed the toilets inside the away end following City's 3-2 Severnside Derby victory.
Reported by the Guardian, Police are also likely to have the power to remove passports to prevent those football fans found guilty of taking or possessing Class A drugs from attending matches across Europe.
Policing minister Kit Malthouse says now is the time to act to prevent the further scenes of violence. He said: "It’s been a thrilling football season, but at some games we’ve seen ugly violence that has shocked all the leagues,” he said.
“More and more the police are finding class A drugs at the heart of that disorder, and so we must act. The football family wants every ground to be a safe space for fans, especially children, and so do we.
"Football banning orders have been a gamechanger in rooting out racism and violence at football, and now we want them to do the same for drug-related disorder.
“The government is determined to drive down drug use and bring home to all who take them that drugs bring consequences.”
It comes as the EFL also released a statement saying that will consider further measures to help prevent pitch invasions, including reducing the capacity of supporters, following the awful scenes at the Forest Ground on Tuesday night. They also reminded fans that lighting pyrotechnics inside stadiums remains a criminal offence.
One man has been arrested after footage showed him sprinting onto the field in the wake of Nottingham Forest's play-off semi-final win and headbutting Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp.
Football grounds up and down the country have seen supporters run onto the field following the final home game of the season including at Bristol City during the lap of appreciation after their 5-0 win over Hull City, and Bristol Rovers during the 7-0 victory over Scunthorpe United, which the Football Association are continuing to investigate.
A statement posted online read: "It is not acceptable for supporters to enter the field of play at any time given the EFL’s objective is to ensure our matches remain a safe and welcoming one for all. Therefore, over the summer we will consider what further measures are now at our disposal, including the potential use of capacity reductions or other similar mitigations."
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