Individual receives three-year football banning order following Chester clash

Back in July, Scunthorpe United informed supporters that the club has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association in relation to failing to control spectators in the encounter against Chester on March 2nd, 2024 at the Attis Arena.

An incident took place at the fixture following a Scunthorpe goal. In the aftermath, a number of Scunthorpe supporters invaded the playing area, and one Scunthorpe United supporter was witnessed to and witnessed on the club CCTV to then assault the Chester goalkeeper.

On Monday, September 23rd, 2024, the individual appeared in Grimsby Magistrates’ Court. As part of the punishment, the supporter has received a national football banning order, prohibiting them from entering any football stadium for a period of three years.

This should be a message to supporters who engage in football related offences, that Scunthorpe United will not tolerate this behaviour and will pass the details of incidents such as this to Humberside Police, and the matter will be dealt with in the criminal courts.

Ensuring the safety of our supporters, players and staff is always of paramount importance to Scunthorpe United Football Club. Supporters who have been identified to have committed disorderly acts have been subject to the possibility of criminal prosecution and football banning orders.

Scunthorpe United will continue to work closely with the police and football authorities to stamp out this, and other types, of spectator misconduct.

The club remain under investigation with the Football Association as a result of misconduct at this fixture.

Incidents which occur during fixtures, including pitch incursions and assault, along with the throwing of objects and use of pyrotechnics, will have a severe detrimental effect to the football club, with the penalties sanctioned against the club which could include financial penalties, capacity restrictions and/or points deductions.

Chair and CEO Michelle Harness said: “Continued offences reported in our fixtures will result in the Football Association undoubtedly taking further action against the club.

“Having worked so hard with the rest of the Board and the staff at the football club to work the football club back towards a sustainable level, and lowering the debt, it is really sickening to receive these charges which can cost the club, not only financially, but also a large amount of hours resources in putting a case of mitigation back to the Football Association, and answering the charges that are brought against us. These hours could have been used more productively, with the consequences to the football club much more than just the charges brought against us.

“Already this season, we’ve had further incidents reported against the club, and we continue to work with the relevant authorities to identify these individuals and take action. We really are beyond the stage of ‘enough is enough’, and we are really saddened behind the scenes that some individuals continue to put us at risk of further and harsher penalties.”