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Football (Offences) Act 1991

1991 CHAPTER 19

An Act to make further provision with respect to disorderly conduct by persons attending football matches; and for connected purposes.

[27th June 1991]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 Designated football matches. I1

(1) In this Act a “ designated football match ” means an association football match designated, or of a description designated, for the purposes of this Act by order of the Secretary of State.

Any such order shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(2) References in this Act to things done at a designated football match include anything done at the ground—

(a) within the period beginning two hours before the start of the match or (if earlier) two hours before the time at which it is advertised to start and ending one hour after the end of the match; or

(b) where the match is advertised to start at a particular time on a particular day but does not take place on that day, within the period beginning two hours before and ending one hour after the advertised starting time.

2 Throwing of missiles. I2

It is an offence for a person at a designated football match to throw anything at or towards—

(a) the playing area, or any area adjacent to the playing area to which spectators are not generally admitted, or

(b) any area in which spectators or other persons are or may be present,

without lawful authority or lawful excuse (which shall be for him to prove).

3 Indecent or racialist chanting. I3

(1) It is an offence to [F1 engage or take part in chanting of an indecent or racialist nature at a designated football match F1] .

(2) For this purpose—

(a) “ chanting ” means the repeated uttering of any words or sounds [F2 (whether alone or in concert with one more others) F2] ; and

(b) “ of a racialist nature ” means consisting of or including matter which is threatening, abusive or insulting to a person by reason of his colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins.

4 Going onto the playing area.

It is an offence for a person at a designated football match to go onto the playing area, or any area adjacent to the playing area to which spectators are not generally admitted, without lawful authority or lawful excuse (which shall be for him to prove).

5 Supplementary provisions. I4

F3 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this Act is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

F4 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 Short title, commencement and extent. I5P1

(1) This Act may be cited as the Football (Offences) Act 1991.

(2) The provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may appoint by order made by statutory instrument, and different days may be appointed for different provisions.

(3) This Act extends to England and Wales only.

Status: There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Football (Offences) Act 1991.
Football (Offences) Act 1991 (1991/19)
Version from: 1 January 2006

Displaying information

Status of this instrument

in force Provision is in force
in force* In force only for specified purposes (see footnote)
not in force Not in force in England (may be in force in other geographies, see footnotes)
defined term Defined term
dfn Defined term (alternative style)
footnote commentary transitional and savings in force status related provisions geo extent insert/omit source count in force adj
F1 Words in s. 3(1) substituted (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 21 , ss. 9(1)(2) , 12(2) (with s. 12(3) ) this amendment (text substituted) should be read in conjunction with other related provisions, see the commentary. substituted
F2 Words in s. 3(2)(a) substituted (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 21 , s. 9(1)(3) , 12(2) (with s. 12(3) ) this amendment (text substituted) should be read in conjunction with other related provisions, see the commentary. substituted
F3 S. 5(1) repealed (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15) , s. 178(8) (8) , Sch. 17 Pt. 2 ; S.I. 2005/3495 , art. 2(1)(u) repealed
F4 S. 5(3) repealed (28.8.2000) by 2000 c. 25 , s. 1 , Sch. 3 ; S.I. 2000/2125 , art. 2 repealed
I1 S. 1 wholly in force at 10.8.1991 see s. 6(2) and S.I. 1991/1564 art. 2.
I2 S. 2 wholly in force at 10.8.1991 see s. 6(2) and S.I. 1991/1564 art. 2.
I3 S. 3 wholly in force at 10.8.1991 see s. 6(2) and S.I. 1991/1564 art. 2.
I4 S. 5 wholly in force at 10.8.1991 see s. 6(2) and S.I. 1991/1564 art. 2.
I5 S. 6 wholly in force at 10.8.1991 see s. 6(2) and S.I. 1991/1564 art. 2.
P1 S. 6(2) power exercised by S.I.1991/1564
Defined Term Section/Article ID Scope of Application
chanting s. 3 def_7af045edd4
designated football match s. 1 def_a5f66904b4
of a racialist nature s. 3 def_70120c3c72
  • The Football (Offences) (Designation of Football Matches) (Amendment) Order 2011 (2011/1187)
  • The Football (Offences) (Designation of Football Matches) (Amendment) Order 2022 (2022/610)
  • The Football (Offences) (Designation of Football Matches) Order 2000 (2000/2329)
  • The Football (Offences) (Designation of Football Matches) Order 2004 (2004/2410)

Status of changes to instrument text

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