EFL clubs are taking part in a major campaign to stop “horrendous” crowd violence shaming football again.
Pitch invasions, violence and ugly scenes marred the end of last season when emotions ran high during the play-offs and final home matches.
A Nottingham Forest fan was jailed after attacking Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp after their Championship play-off semi final in what was one of the worst examples.
It led to a football-wide campaign called Love Football, Protect the Game campaign which promised bans for pitch invaders, more criminal prosecutions and stadium banning orders.
The EFL are being proactive on the issue with a virtual nationwide fans’ forum and sending a clear message to clubs and fans that any repeat will not be tolerated.
It is during the run-in towards the end of the season when football is most at risk from hooligans as it is when fans have run onto the pitch, pyrotechnics are used, missiles thrown and players have been attacked.
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said: “You have to protect the players. Because that (the Billy Sharp incident) was just horrendous and unfortunately you can’t legislate that might not happen again.
“The fans who have committed those violent acts have spoilt it for everyone. The plea is now simply: ‘just please, please behave yourselves and stay off the pitch.’ It’s unfair on the majority by doing that.
“It feels this season it has calmed down, we had the series of unfortunate incidents at the end of last season and we want to get the message across to keep that behaviour under control for the rest of the season.
“It used to be a celebration when fans would come on the pitch but now you just can’t do it. Those idiots have spoilt it for the majority because they present a danger to the officials, managers and the players.
“The pitch is for the players and the stands are for the fans. It’s as simple as that. Sadly an innocent person going onto the pitch, that unfortunately gives licence to a thug to come on and thump a player.
“Generally everyone is doing a great job because we get 20 million through the turnstiles every year and we don’t want a minority to spoil it for everyone.”
The EFL attendances have never been better and they joined with the Premier League, Football Association, Professional Footballers’ Association and the Football Supporters’ Association in putting together the Love Football, Protect the Game drive.
It means any pitch invader will get a ban - any offences carries a recommended minimum 12 month punishment up to lifetime ban - and there will be more prosecutions for offences, including drugs which would mean a criminal record.
Fans have even been banned - including one at Middlesbrough - for allowing their children to go onto the pitch. There has also been a clampdown on pyrotechnics.
The EFL say out of those 20 millions fans going through the turnstiles there have been less than 2,000 incidents - but they insist while that is still “low” it is too much.
They are pushing for better stewarding, fan engagement - the virtual Match Experience Fan Forum was chaired by Sky presenter David Prutton - and clubs are sharing information among themselves as well as running campaigns to warn fans about the dangers.
The forum took place on Tuesday night and was widely supported by supporter groups while the latest figures also revealed that in the 21/22 season, 19.2m fans went through turnstiles, of the incidents reported only 933 went to the UK Football Policing Unit which is a ratio of less than 0.005 per cent.
Birch added: “I think it was a powerful co-ordinated message from the EFL, Premier League, FSA and indeed the PFA and we are all in it together.
“We’ve got fantastic fans. You look at the Papa Johns Trophy, it’ll probably get over 75,000 fans and nowhere else in the world would you get that sort of attendance for what is effectively a Third Division trophy.
“Sheffield Wednesday get over 30,000, Ipswich and Bradford into the fourth tier into the high 20,000s. That shows the importance of the EFL.
“First and foremost, you have to ensure the safety of the players on the pitch. The prospect of fans encroaching onto the pitch can be frightening when you consider what’s happened before with players being attacked.
“First and foremost, we have to protect them and the officials. So the message is clear: just stay off the pitch because otherwise you’re giving the green light to these idiots.”
Recent flashpoints
Plymouth Argyle – A man was given an indefinite club ban for approaching a Cheltenham Town player on the pitch
Stevenage – A pitch invader was arrested and an immediate club ban from the Lamex Stadium after approaching Bradford City player Andy Cook
Northampton Town – A 35 year old man was arrested and received a three year football banning order after invading the pitch on Boxing Day and goading Mansfield fans
Bristol Rovers – In November, eight fans received football banning orders totalling 30 years for pitch invasions against Forest Green last season following police investigations
Middlesbrough – The father of a child who entered the Riverside pitch received a lifetime club ban in line with guidelines outlined by football authorities
Liverpool - A 16-year-old fan is set to receive a lengthy ban for entering the pitch at Anfield during Liverpool ’s 7-0 win over Manchester United
Tottenham - A fan attacked Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale following the North London derby in January, leading the England international now admitting he is more cautious about his behaviour in public.
