England bans online hate crime advocates

While in Brazil we are following recent cases of threats to family members of players via social media, in England people convicted of online hate crimes related to football can receive ban orders preventing them from watching matches.

Football ban orders have been extended so the Public Prosecution Service (CPS), the main public body for conducting criminal prosecutions in England and Wales, can ask the courts for tougher penalties for online abuse involving race, gender or religion.

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Until then, lawsuits can only be brought for personal crimes. A study conducted by the Professional Footballers’ Association in 2021 found that 44% of Premier League players experienced online abuse.

“Football ban orders are one of the many tools available to the justice system to impose penalties on offenders convicted of crimes related to our national game,” said CPS’s Douglas Mackay.

“This new legal directive from the Public Prosecution Office gives prosecutors more power to seek injunctions from the courts. It is yet another consequence for those guilty of disgraceful behaviour.”

He concluded: “In recent years and months, hate crimes related to sporting events have increased. The UK Football Police’s latest mid-season internal report showed a significant increase in football-related crime compared to pre-season levels and an epidemic.”

Last year, the government promised to ban people who abuse football players online from stadiums for up to 10 years. The situation came when England players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were subjected to racist abuse after their defeat in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

Home Secretary Priti Patel confirmed in January that football ban orders would be extended to include online hate crimes. The change took effect on June 29.