People who post racist abuse online could face bans from attending football matches in England and Wales for up to 10 years, Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced. The legislation aims to expand existing football banning orders to cover online hate offences.
“Racism is unacceptable and for too long football has been marred by this shameful prejudice,” Patel said. “Those responsible for racist abuse online must be punished. The changes to the law I’m announcing will make sure they are banned from attending football matches.”
The new law is expected to take the form of an amendment to the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill early next year. It follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s commitment in July to amend the orders following racist abuse directed at England players after the Euro 2020 final.
Currently, football banning orders can be imposed on those convicted of violence, disorder, and racist or homophobic chanting. The orders, which can last from three to ten years, also require offenders to surrender their passports before overseas fixtures.
