A Just Stop Oil protestor is removed by stewards at the West Ham v Spurs clash
(Picture: PA)Just Stop Oil protestors who invaded the pitch during a Premier League clash between Spurs and West Ham have been banned from football matches for the next three years.
Play was halted at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium as the activists ran on to the pitch, in an apparent attempt to tie themselves to the goalposts and cause disruption.
However the protestors – wearing orange ‘Just Stop Oil’ t-shirts – were hauled away by stewards in the second half of the match on March 20, which Spurs went on to win 3-1.
At Highbury Corner magistrates court on Monday, Joshua Smith, 29, Oliver Clegg, 19, Nathan McGovern, 23, Louise Harris, 24, Amy Friel, 19, and Aaron Gunning, 23, were all found guilty of going onto the playing area at a football match.
Smith and Clegg, from Manchester, Gunning, who lives in Oxford, Friel, of Wandsworth, Harris, from Caddington in Bedfordshire, and McGovern, from Tower Hamlets had all denied the charge but were found guilty following a trial. The court imposed three-year football banning orders on the six activists, as they were also handed 18-month conditional discharges with a warning to stay out of trouble.
“All defendants received their sentences for invading and protesting at the Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham game on 20 March 2022”, said the CPS, in a statement.
“Banning Orders prevent disorder at football, which helps to ensure that attending football matches is a positive experience for all members of our community, who enjoy our national game.
“The CPS continues to ask for football banning orders for those convicted of crime connected to the game and prevent them in attending matches.”
Members of the Just Stop Oil movement have staged a series of protests this year, including gluing themselves to the frames of valuable artworks and blockading roads.
The group - campaigning for an end to the use of fossil fuels - has warned motorists to not use the M25 as protests are planned this week.
